Tuesday September 29 2009 – 11:43am Eastern – Toronto, ON
I will say it one last time: BIG day at “Media Day” yesterday at the ACC. Thanks again to the Raptors Media Relations staff for all of their help. Jim LaBumbard, Jamie Deans, and Roven Yau were outstanding and extremely accommodating.
Special thanks to FAN intern Mark Sheldon as well … who was running around like a mad man tracking down guests, doing interviews and scrums, and so on.
Unfortunately, I will not be in Ottawa for Training Camp this year. Other than the trip to Spain/Italy a couple of years ago … this is the first Camp I will miss in about 10 years. But the bosses wanted me in town – with Jack – to do “The Game Plan” and I can’t disagree. The show must go on!
However, I will do my best to keep folks updated on the latest happenings from Carleton … even if I’m stuck here in T.O.
In fact, I can let ya know that the guys are off the floor right now … and they are just getting set to chat with the media shortly. After that, it’ll be back to the hotel for lunch and a nap (probably) and then back to the gym for the second workout of the day from 5-7pm.
Also, Chris Bosh – as you know – is on the sidelines for the start of training camp … resting up his injured hamstring. But Hedo Turkoglu is going to sit out for a day or two as well … just to “rest” after a grueling summer with the Magic and then the Turkish national team.
As for right now, Jay Triano has the Raps scheduled to do two-a-days today, tomorrow, and Friday. He’s giving them a bit of a break with just one 2 – 2 and a half hour session on Thursday. And remember … the sold out scrimmage / intra-squad game goes at 1pm on Saturday.
GETTING TO KNOW ….
I’m going to do this every day this week. “Getting To Know” a player and a broadcaster from the Raptors.
I’ll have 5-6 rapid-fire questions with a player and a broadcaster.
Today we’ll start with … JOSE CALDERON
ES: Who was your favourite player growing up?
JC: Magic Johnson
ES: Yankees or Red Sox?
JC: Yankees
ES: What is your favourite sport other than basketball?
JC: Tennis and Soccer
ES: Give me the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
JC: I like everything on my iPod.
ES: “Dancing With the Stars” or “American Idol”?
JC: “Dancing With the Stars”
GETTING TO KNOW … PAUL JONES …
ES: Which is your least favourite NBA city to visit?
PJ: Milwaukee
ES: BlackBerry, iPhone, or Palm Pre?
PJ: BlackBerry
ES: Give me your favourite NBA city to visit.
PJ: New York, Miami, San Francisco
ES: What is your all-time favourite movie?
PJ: Do The Right Thing, Dirty Dozen, Boyz in the Hood
ES: What position would you play if you were a hockey player?
PJ: Center
ES: Who was your favourite player/athlete growing up?
PJ: Dr. J, Willie Mays, Jim Brown
Have a good one folks, talk to you again tomorrow.
And don’t forget to tune in to “The Game Plan” from 2pm-4pm today.
E. Smith
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Wow, never knew Jose likes watching Dancing With the Stars!
And I love the new edition of GETTING TO KNOW ….!
Paul__Jones on TWITTER! well done Eric! now you have to get Jack on twitter!
- Raps FanWow…I am thoroughly impressed with Jonesy’s list of fav films…all three were great, especially Do The Right Thing. Believe it or not, I saw it 6 times in the theatre — those were the good old days, as I was finishing high school and spending several evenings a week watching films. I believe that was also the same year I saw Die Hard 7(!) times in the theatre, too. Now, I’m happy just to go out once a month!
On another note — the Chris Bosh media frenzy has officially begun. Even though I am not a big fan of Bosh’s (I think he’s an good player, but not worthy of his salary), I just wish the print and tv media would just stop with all this conjecture about the upcoming Bosh season, and what it will mean to his future contractual status.
Just leave it alone and let the freakin’ team play!!
- brento