Tuesday September 30 – 8:25pm Eastern

Joey Graham suffered a strained right hamstring at practice tonight.

He will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

I spoke with Graham though and he doesn’t think this injury is a big deal, and he’s not expecting to miss any time.

E. Smith

Tuesday September 30 2008 – 1:10pm Eastern

UPDATE ON JAWAI

Nathan Jawai says he’ll have further testing done at some point this week and find out exactly what is going on with his heart.  He said the doctors told him they saw a “bump” and wanted to check it out. 

He’s remaining positive right now and trying not to stress out about ‘what this could be’.  The big man admitted that it’s tough to think about something being wrong with his heart, but at the same time he says he feels fine; his breathing is fine; and if he hadn’t been told about this issue he would have had no clue that anything was ‘wrong’. 

Jawai also said he has no history of heart issues in his family – he called back to Australia to confirm all of that as well.

While nobody would say anything on the record, it seems like the Jamal Sampson move is an insurance plan for Jawai.  If Nate turns out to be okay and his heart is fine for the season (and future years), I’m not certain that Sampson will still be on this team long-term.  However, if Jawai is sidelined for any amount of time, Sampson will NOT be Training Camp fodder; he’ll make the club as a depth guy for the front court.

SAME ‘OL SAM

Sam was his usual self on Day 1 … already tired of people asking about camp after only 1 two-hour practice.  He didn’t really want to talk about how the team looked or what his expectations for the club may be because he says you can’t really figure that out after two hours of drills and no real scrimmage (which will come during the second session tonight). 

Sam was also frustrated with folks asking about Chris Bosh’s Olympic experience as well.  He says Bosh’s performance in Beijing shouldn’t have been a big surprise because he’s always been this good.  He’s tired of people acting like Bosh has suddenly just appeared out of nowhere – ignoring that the guy is a 3-time All Star.

He also chatted about having just 13 guys at camp and how that’s good for keeping the focus and attention … but … it also changes certain dynamics/drills that you can now do, or not do.  He joked that there could be scrimmages where Team A or Team B doesn’t even have a sub!

THUMBS UP FROM J.O.

Jermaine O’Neal is impressed with what he’s seen so far – after the first day (well, first practice) of camp.  He said he’s already doing stuff in this camp that he hasn’t done in Indy for years and he sees that the focus is there for this team to be a strong defensive club.

While the Raptors haven’t been slouches on “D” in recent years, they haven’t exactly been known for their defense either.  So a focus on that end of the floor could be a huge plus for the Raps.

O’Neal also stressed the importance of rebounding for this team – but not just from the bigs.  He said the guards have to chip-in as well and the opportunity is there for that to happen in Toronto with some of the bigger boys the Raptors have like Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Jose Calderon, and so on.

E. Smith

Tuesday September 30 – 10:20am Eastern

As promised … more was to come.

Here’s the release just put out by the Raptors:

The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday they have signed free-agent power forward-centre Jamal Sampson. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

Sampson, 6-foot-11, 235 pounds, is a five-year NBA veteran who has spent time with Denver , Sacramento , Charlotte , the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee . He posted career-best totals of 3.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23 games for Charlotte in the 2004-05 season.

Sampson has appeared in 72 career NBA games, averaging 2.0 points and 3.4 rebounds. He recorded career highs of 10 points at Orlando on January 7, 2005 and 12 rebounds January 30, 2007 at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sampson was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. He played one season at the University of California where he averaged 6.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.17 blocks in 32 games. He posted four double-doubles, and had 15 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks versus Washington . He was named to the PAC-10 All-Freshman Team. 

Sampson is the cousin of Ralph Sampson, the number one overall selection in the 1983 NBA Draft. 

E. Smith

Tuesday September 30 2008 – 10:05am Eastern

Just found out the Raptors have signed free agent forward Jamal Sampson. 

More to come. 

E. Smith

Tuesday September 30 2008 – 9:55am Eastern

DAY 1

Camp opens today.  In fact, it’s on right now … as I write this.  I’ll be heading to Carlton in about 20-30 minutes to chat with the players following their first official workout.  Keep in mind, the guys have been in Toronto for about 2 weeks already, working out on their own.

The biggest storyline today will probably be the health – and future – of Nathan Jawai.  As you read here last night, the big man apparently had some sort of cardiac issue show up during his routine physical with the team doctors.  For now, he is being held out of Training Camp.

Aside from Jawai’s health, the starting small forward spot is probably the biggest story for the Raps.  Jamario Moon?  Jason Kapono?  Could Joey Graham actually enter the mix?

As I’ve said before, if I were a betting man, I’d say Kapono will get the nod.  And don’t bet on it being Andrea Bargnani.  I think the Raptors will use him as their 6th man.

SPEAKING OF BARGNANI …

During our show/webcast yesterday, Bargnani confirmed that he has put on 10+ pounds … which I guesstimated late last week.  The 3rd year big man said he put on 12-13 pounds after working out with his own trainers in Italy, as well as Raptors strength and conditioning man, Keith D’Amelio.

Bargnani’s English was noticeably better as well, and he seemed much more comfortable chatting with the media and just interacting with folks in general.  He’s only 22 … and it looks like he’s starting to come out of his shell.

CHEAP PLUG

If you didn’t hear the webcast yesterday, you missed some solid interviews from the players.  Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, Bargnani, Kris Humphries, and Joey Graham.  Paul Jones and I also had a chance to chat with Bryan Colangelo.

From O’Neal telling us that his decision to leave Indiana came down to Toronto or Cleveland – and his picked T.O. (obviously) ….. to Moon breaking down why he doesn’t care if he starts or comes off the bench ….. there was a ton of info and candid answers from the guys. 

You can hear ALL of the interviews and check out a few pictures as well if you go to the “Audio On Demand” section of this website.

ROAD TRIP

Just to close things off with a little bit of fun … I had to tell ya about the drive to Ottawa. 

I got here in just under 5 hours last night – after dealing with delays in T.O. on the DVP and the 401. 

The highlight of the drive (by myself) came around Kingston when I hit a stretch of retro songs including:  Owner of a Lonely Heart, In the Air Tonight, Dead or Alive, Born to Run, and Maneater!  But after putting the 80′s behind me, I quickly found a station that kept me glued for another 15-20 minutes with Kanye West, Run DMC, Kid Rock, Snoop, and Ludacris. 

Can’t beat good tunes on a road trip.  And I’ll listen to just about anything — from Tom Petty to Nirvana; Dr. Dre to Frank Sinatra.  Just don’t give me any country tunes (other than Johnny Cash) and go VERY light on classical.  VERY light.

E. Smith

I’ll be back with another blog this afternoon – after the Raptors morning session in Ottawa.

Monday September 29 2008 – 11:20pm Eastern

I just rolled into Ottawa and wanted to post this release from the Toronto Raptors (in case you haven’t already heard):

“As a result of concerns raised during routine pre-season cardiac screening, Nathan Jawai will be held out of practice until further tests are conducted.  It is anticipated that these tests will be concluded later this week.

The club acquired the draft rights to Jawai (pronounced JA-why) from the Indiana Pacers on July 9. He was the 41^st overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. He is the first indigenous player from Australia to be drafted by an NBA team.”

E. Smith

Monday September 29 2008 – 9:35am Eastern 

ON THE LINKS 

I wrote a quick blog on Friday night about the Raptors Foundation Charity Golf Tournament – but I forgot to mention one quick story.

After nearing killing the President and GM last year, I did redeem myself this year … by out-driving Bryan Colangelo.

On the 1st hole, the Raptors were running a contest:  Buy a ticket for $20.00 … Colangelo fires off a drive … if he lands in the fairway you have to out-drive him … but if his drive lands anywhere in the rough … all you have to do is put your drive in the fairway … and he’ll not only give you another ticket (for a raffle) but donate another $20.00 to the charity from his own pocket.

Colangelo went far right; I went right … but stayed in the fairway – about 3 inches from the rough – and quickly erased any memories from last year. 

Luckily, Colangelo didn’t see my other 17 holes … where I had the worst round of my summer and did NOTHING to help my foursome from TD Bank / TD Waterhouse. 

WEBCAST ON FAN590.COM

The FAN 590 will be LIVE at Raptors Media Day today.

Beginning at 12:30pm, Paul Jones and I will broadcast live from the ACC on www.fan590.com

Be sure to log on a couple of minutes early … and then sit back and enjoy the show as we interview the likes of Bosh, Calderon, O’Neal, Sam Mitchell, Bryan Colangelo, and much more. 

What’s interesting about this live webcast is that we’ll have little-to-no commercials.  So you’ll get 2 full hours of basketball talk and interviews.  And if you’re not close to a computer – and stuck with only your radio – we’ve got you covered as well … as both “The Director’s Chair” and “The Gameplan” will eavesdrop on our show from time to time … essentially simulcasting the web show on the regular station feed. 

After the show, I’ll be heading to Ottawa for Training Camp and provide interviews, clips, and reports all week on the FAN and here in my blog as well.

E. Smith

Friday September 26 2008 – 9:25pm Eastern

BARGS *IS* BIGGER

I just got back from golfing in the 2008 Raptors Foundation Charity Golf Tournament and I ran into a number of the players … and I’m here to tell you … Andrea Bargnani IS bigger.  If I had to guess, I’d say he’s put on at least 10 if not 15 pounds.  He’s noticeably bigger and … while he was wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt … he appeared to be thicker in the shoulders and arms.

ROKO

I chatted with Roko Ukic for 5-10 minutes while we were waiting in line for dinner and he was telling me that he and his wife are loving Toronto so far.  They’re getting used to the city and enjoying their new home.  He also dropped some news that I didn’t know:  he’s the proud father of an 11-month-old baby girl.  Congrats Roko!

O’NEAL IMPRESSING

Jermaine O’Neal was at the tournament as well … though he wasn’t golfing.  But the big man spent some time glad-handing fans and chatting with folks.  He looks cut.  And he spent a bulk of his time hanging out with Chris Bosh.

Word is that O’Neal has been blocking EVERYTHING in the informal scrimmages the Raps have been holding.  One Raptor official told me he swears J.O. had about 20 blocks in one pick-up/scrimmage game last week.

A-LIST

The tournament brought out a ton of players.  Not only did folks have a chance to interact with O’Neal, Bosh, Ukic, and Bargnani, but Jose Calderon, Hassan Adams, Jason Kapono, Will Solomon, Anthony Parker, Kris Humphries, and Jamario Moon were in attendance as well.

E. Smith

Thursday September 25 2008 – 7:25pm Eastern

I just got back from the Raptors press conference / jersey unveiling and I’ve got to say I’m pretty impressed with the black threads.  Check out this blog for some of the pictures I snapped of Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh modelling the new uniforms.

Jose & Chris present the view from behind.

The view from the front.

The boys seem to love the uniforms.

And here’s the official press release from the Toronto Raptors:

As the Toronto Raptors prepare for the start of training camp in Ottawa and the 2008-09 regular season, Raptors players and Olympic medalists Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon unveiled the team’s alternate road uniform Thursday at Air Canada Centre in front of fans and special guests.

The team’s new alternate road uniform is black with a prominent red insert color. It also has a distinctly Canadian flavour with a maple leaf featured in centre on the back neck of the jersey, emphasizing that the Raptors are Canada ’s team. The Raptors are the only team in NBA history to have a country specific element on their jersey.

“We are very excited about the concept of our new alternate jersey which brings black back into prominence while enhancing our staple color red,” said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. “The inclusion of a maple leaf on the jersey is a tribute to all of Canada who we proudly represent.”

The new uniform, which will be worn a minimum of six times on the road, will be showcased on two special occasions at Air Canada Centre during the team’s home opener Friday, October 31 and then again New Year’s Eve. 

During the uniform unveiling, which had a national pride theme, both Bosh and Calderon spoke about their recent experiences at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

The introduction of the team’s alternate road uniform marks the 11^th variation made to the Raptors jersey since the team’s inception in 1995. Other variations include: the Toronto Huskies jersey worn during the NBA’s 50^th anniversary celebration, the St. Patrick’s Day green jersey worn in 2008, the Raptors red alternate road jersey, and the Raptors Spanish and Italian jerseys worn during 2007 NBA Europe Live.

The Raptors’ new second road jersey will be available exclusively at CentreSports, the official team store of the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre, from Wednesday, October 1 to Sunday, October 12. Unlike other Raptors jerseys which are sold with player names and numbers, the new second road jersey can be customized with any name or number.

The Raptors begin their preseason on the road at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, October 7 and play their first preseason home game versus the New York Knicks on Wednesday, October 8. Tip off is at 7 p.m..

 E. Smith

Wednesday September 24 2008 – 5:00pm Eastern

STARTING 5

I got an email from somebody yesterday, asking me who I thought the Raptors would roll out as their starting five this season. 

While I think it’s too early to tell (heck, we haven’t even opened camp yet) I’ll still answer the question and give you my two cents:

PG – Jose Calderon
SG – Anthony Parker
C – Jermaine O’Neal
SF – Jason Kapono
PF – Chris Bosh

The toughest – and possibly only – challenge in camp will be for that SF spot.  Andrea Bargnani is probably not the greatest fit … given that I don’t know if he’d have the speed to keep up with other 3′s around the league … and having him on the floor with O’Neal and Bosh might be too much.  Bargnani would be a better fit as the 6th Man and the first big – for Bosh or J.O. – off the bench. 

And while Jamario Moon had a fantastic rookie season – starting 75 games – I think Kapono will be given the shot based on how he performed against the Orlando Magic in the first round of last spring’s playoffs. 

Plus, with O’Neal AND Bosh attracting a ton of attention down low, I expect the perimeter to get a ton of open looks … which could mean BIG things for Kapono (as well as Parker, Calderon, etc).

PARKER ON THE FAN

If you didn’t hear it yesterday, go to the Audio On Demand section of this website and check out Anthony Parker’s interview with Jack Armstrong and Doug McLean on “The Gameplan”.  It’s one of the more honest, candid chats you’ll have heard in quite some time.

MEDIA DAY ON MONDAY – *LIVE* ON THE FAN

Alright, this is another plug … sorta.  But I figured you’d wanna know!  While I wouldn’t expect The Score, TSN, or Sportsnet to go live on Monday, the FAN 590 will. 

Beginning at 12:30pm on Monday, Paul Jones and I will broadcast live from Media Day at the ACC on www.fan590.com

Be sure to log on a couple of minutes early … and then sit back and enjoy the show as we interview the likes of Bosh, Calderon, O’Neal, Sam Mitchell, Bryan Colangelo, and much more. 

What’s interesting about this live webcast is that – to my knowledge – we will have little-to-no commercials.  So you’ll get 2 full hours of basketball talk and interviews.  And if you’re not close to a computer – and stuck with only your radio – we’ve got you covered as well … as both “The Director’s Chair” and “The Gameplan” will eavesdrop on our show from time to time … essentially simulcasting the web show on the regular station feed. 

Should be fun!

JAYS AND YANKS

If you’re heading down to the game tonight, keep your eye out for me, Jonesy, and Jack.  The three of us are heading to the Jays’ game with a number of producers, editors, and writers from Raptors TV — including Troy “The Hammer” Clara.  It’s kind of a “team building” thing for us … as we all get set to get back to work next week!

E. Smith

* I do still plan on telling you more about my trip to Europe as well !