Wednesday December 31 2008 – 10:05pm Eastern

Nuggets @ Raptors

Final Score: 
114-107, Nuggets

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- CHAUNCEY BILLUPS
18 points
7 assists
3 rebounds
7/7 FT

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- NENE
21 points
7 rebounds
3 assists
8/12 FG
4/5 FT

Shout-out to the Raptors:
- ANDREA BARGNANI
26 points
6 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals

Stats that stood out:
- Points in the paint:  50-34 Nuggets
- Raptors give up 61 second-half points to the Nuggets
- Jose Calderon: 11 assists and 18 points … but an uncharacteristic 5 turnovers

Thumbs Up:
- Bargnani.  He stepped up in the absence of J.O. and had a BIG game in the front court

Thumbs Down:
- Bench scoring.  Yes, Toronto was undermanned without Jason Kapono and Jermaine O’Neal, but the Nuggets bench outscored the Raptors 36-17

Smith says:
- “The Raptors have dug quite a hole in 2008 – let’s hope 2009 brings a more consistent effort.”

Jones says:
“It’s going to take more discipline to overcome the deficiencies in the line up.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 10 of 24 from 3PT range 

Next game:
- Rockets @ Raptors
– Friday January 2 2009 - Tune in just after 7:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20081231.mp3]

Wednesday December 31 2008 – 11:35am Eastern

As the Raptors get set to face the Denver Nuggets tonight, they will officially close out the 2008 calendar. 

2008 was filled with a lot of highs and lows for the Raps (probably more lows to be honest), so let’s look back at some of the key games over the last 12 months …

January 2008
- Toronto has a streak of  7 wins in 9 games … including a big 114-112 over the Celtics in Boston

February 2008
- Toronto has a streak of 5 wins in 6 games … including 4 blowout wins over NJ, Orlando, NY, and Minnesota

March 2008
- The slide begins … with a 6-11 record for the month … including 5 straight losses on the west coast in LA (Lakers), Golden State, Denver, Sacramento, and Utah

April 2008
- The Raptors lose the first 3 of the month … stumble to the finish line; ending with a 41-41 record (6th in the East) … and then lose 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic

May – September 2008
- Swirsky leaves, Devlin signs, Calderon re-signs, Ford is traded and O’Neal is acquired, Ukic signs, Adams signs, Garbajosa is bought out, Bosh wins Olympic gold

October 2008
- Training Camp is in full force in Ottawa, and then the pre-season begins … including an exhibition loss in Edmonton against the Denver Nuggets

November 2008
- Toronto builds on 2 straight wins in October … beating Milwaukee to start the 2008-2009 season at 3-0.  But the Raptors then lose 4 of their next 5 games and finish November 6-8 (8-8 overall for the year)

December 2008
- The Raps lose 4 straight to kick off the month and see their coach (Sam Mitchell) fired during that stretch.  They bounce back to win 2 in a row under Jay Triano, but just as momentum seems to be building, they then lose 5 straight and fall a dreadful 7 games below .500

Entering tonight’s game against the Nuggets, Toronto is 4-11 this month.  A win versus Denver would help the Raptors avoid falling 8 games below .500 for the first time this season.

Paul Jones and I are on the air at 7:00pm tonight, as we will have an abbreviated post-game show tonight (’til 10:00pm).

Happy New Year everyone!

E. Smith

Tuesday December 30 2008 – 1:15am Eastern

Raptors @ Warriors (Monday December 29 2008)

Final Score: 
117-111, Warriors 

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- KELENNA AZUBUIKE
18 points
4 rebounds
8/10 FG

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- STEPHEN JACKSON
30 points
7 assists
7 rebounds
2 steals
2 blocks
9/20 FG
10/10 FT

Shout-out to the Raptors:
- CHRIS BOSH
30 points
14 rebounds
2 assists
11/20 FG

Stats that stood out:
- Rebounding:  49-37 Raptors
- 26 points off turnovers (13) for Golden State.  They scored on EVERY Raptor turnover
- Jose Calderon tied a caeer-high with 16 assists.  He had 21 points and 6 rebounds as well

Thumbs Up:
- Offensive rebounding … 20-6 for Toronto.  Golden State is the #1 offensive rebounding team in the league.

Thumbs Down:
- 5 shots on 2 possessions late in the ball game that could have seen Toronto tie or take the lead and they missed all 5.  Jason Kapono had 3 of those shots (he finished 4 of 12 (including 3 of 9 from long distance))

Smith says:
- “7 games below .500 … who saw this coming.  Toronto has got a tough road ahead now with 3 straight at home against Denver, Houston, and Orlando.  If you’re not careful, you could be 10 games below .500 before ya know it.  Who saw THAT coming?”

Jones says:
“Toronto has got to do a better job of contesting shooters.  They’re protecting the paint well, but they have to get out to contest shots.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 10 of 26 from 3PT range 

Next game:
- Nuggets @ Raptors
– Wednesday December 31 – Tune in just after 7:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20081230.mp3]

Monday December 29 2008 – 3:55pm Eastern

This will be our last VLOG for a while as the Raptors FINALLY head home after tonight’s game for 3 straight at the ACC:

December 31 vs Denver
January 2 vs Houston
January 4 vs Orlando

We won’t be vloggin’ again until January 5 in Milwaukee

Enjoy!

And remember to tune in to the pre-game show tonight at 10:00pm Eastern and the tip just after 10:30pm.  Also, a reminder, I’ll be taking calls with Mike Toth on “The Bullpen” from 9:00am-10:00am on Wednesday morning

Take Care

E. Smith

Sunday December 28 2008 – 10:15am Eastern

Our pre-game show was cancelled last night after the Marlies game ran long (due to a long delay in the first period – when a piece of glass was broken and needed to be replaced). 

Thus, you missed out on a very candid interview I had with Raptors television analyst (and FAN 590 host), Jack Armstrong.

I received a number of emails the other day … asking me for my opinion on Jack’s stance RE: Andrea Bargnani and why “The Coach” seems to be talking-up / defending the big man so much of late.

That was news to me; I obviously don’t hear Jack very much … given that I’m on the radio at the same time … calling the games with Jonesy. 

And while I agree with the basic premise that Jack has — that Andrea still has it in him to be a solid player — I went to the man himself and asked him to explain the statements that have apparently riled-up a bunch of you in Raptorland!

Check out the link below for my chat with Jack and be sure to tune-in tomorrow at 10:00pm for the pre-game show of the Raptors and Warriors on the FAN.  The tip-off goes just after 10:30pm

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/Jack-Armstrong-Eric-Smith-20081228.mp3]

E. Smith

Sunday December 28 2008 – 12:28am Eastern

Raptors @ Blazers (Saturday December 27 2008)

Final Score: 
102-89, Blazers 

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
* Nobody joined us … so … no dinner at Fazoolis for the Blazers!

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- BRANDON ROY
32 points
9 assists
14/19 FG
* scored 18 of his 32 in the 4TH quarter  

Shout-out to the Raptors:
- CHRIS BOSH
29 points
9 rebounds
9/17 FG

Stats that stood out:
- Rebounding:  40-36 Blazers
- Points in the Paint:  38-30 Blazers
- Jason Kapono (starting SG):  31:39 minutes, 0 for 5 FG, 0 points
- Toronto:  ZERO fast break points

Thumbs Up:
- The first half … up 8 … shooting 52+ per cent.

Thumbs Down:
- The second half … only 32 point total.  Ouch.

Smith says:
- “Toronto got away from the inside game in the second half – strangely.  They forgot to attack and try to go at the Blazers front line.  A missed opportunity after a solid first half.”

Jones says:
“You have to be disciplined enough – when things aren’t going your way – to turn it around.  Example:  the 3RD quarter.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 7 of 19 from 3PT range 

Next game:
- Raptors @ Warriors
– Monday December 29 – Tune in at 10:30pm for the pre-game and just after 10:30pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20081228.mp3]

Saturday December 27 2008 – 4:15pm Eastern

Big win last night for your Raptors.

It’s cold, wet, and rainy in Portland – with snow still on the ground from a rare storm earlier in the week.

Tough back to back tonight … but Toronto owes the Blazers one after coughing up that big lead at the ACC against Roy, Oden, and company.

We’re on the air at 930pm with the pre-game show … and the tip just after 10pm

Enjoy the VLOG.

E. Smith

Saturday December 27 2008 – 1:59am Eastern

Raptors @ Kings (Friday December 26 2008)

Final Score: 
107-101, Raptors 

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- ANDREA BARGNANI
14 points
4/5 FG
4/5 FT
* Key minutes late in the 3RD and early in the 4TH with both Bosh and O’Neal on the bench with 4 fouls each

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- JERMAINE O’NEAL
36 points
9 rebounds
2 assists
2 blocks
3 steals
15/19 FG
* season high points
* season high FGM  

Shout-out to the Clippers:
- BRAD MILLER
20 points
8 rebounds
3 assists
2 steals
6/10 FG

Stats that stood out:
- Rebounding:  39-34 Raptors
- Points in the Paint:  40-24 Raptors
- Chris Bosh in fould trouble all night:  4/10 FG – 13 points, 7 boards, 3 turnovers

Thumbs Up:
- Jermaine O’Neal.  Period.

Thumbs Down:
- Turnovers.  13 in the first half.  16 total.

Smith says:
- “Back to back wins for the Raptors.  They still have a ways to go to .500 but they’ve shown some positive signs of late and J.O. is playing like a beast.”

Jones says:
“O’Neal was the man, but he got great help from the bench.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 4 of 11 from 3PT range 

Next game:
- Raptors @ Blazers
– Saturday December 27 – Tune in at 9:30pm for the pre-game and just after 10:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20081227.mp3] 

Friday December 26 2008 – 11:55am Pacific

Alright folks – the holidays are over.  Damn, that was quick.

We’re in Sacramento, getting set for the Raptors and Kings tonight.

The tip-off is just after 10:00pm (Eastern) on the FAN – and there will be NO pre-game show tonight … as the World Juniors will be on the FAN 590 just prior to the Raps and Kings.

Enjoy the vlog, and we’ll talk to you again tomorrow in Portland!

E. Smith

Thursday December 25 2008 – 11:25pm Eastern

It’s been almost 24 hours since the big man in the red suit first started sliding down chimneys around the world, so as Christmas is about to expire for another year, I thought I’d take a look at those around the NBA that might have got a lump of coal in their stocking!

Here’s my Top 10 list … in no particular order:

Steve Francis – Back where you started, with the Grizzlies!

New York AND Stephon Marbury – For mishandling the whole ordeal.

Yi Jianlian – Possibly lying about his age?  Maybe he’s 50 – like Greg Oden (at least that’s how old he LOOKS).

Chicago – How could you not give Rose and Co. a big man to work with?  ANY big man (no, Drew Gooden won’t cut it).

Washington and Oklahoma City – For pulling up the rear in their respective conferences.  Period.

Monta Ellis – I hear Vespa wants to sign ya to an endorsement deal.

Donald Sterling – You spent money on Baron Davis but let Corey M. and Elton B. go?  Okay then.

Steve Kerr – Nice guy.  But what is going on with the Suns?  What kind of team are they building?  If you know, tell me.

Minnesota – The ghost of Brandon Roy will always haunt you.

Joe Dumars – For trading away Chauncey Billups; though long-term this will work out (financial flexibility if nothing else).

Jonesy and I will be back on Boxing Day with another VLOG installment … from Sacramento

E. Smith