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.