Friday October 30 2009 – 9:57pm Central – Memphis, TN

Raptors @ Grizzlies

Final Score:
115-107, Memphis

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- CHRIS BOSH
37 points
12 rebounds
4 assists
13/25 FG
10/14 FT

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- OJ MAYO
18 points
6 rebounds
3 assists

Shout-out to the Grizzlies:
- ZACH RANDOLPH
30 points
7 rebounds
13/21 FG

Stats that stood out:
- 13 lead changes … And the game was tied 16 times
- Banged Up on the Glass:  45-36 REBOUNDING advantage for the Grizz
- Points in the Paint:   Both clubs had 52
- Jose Calderon with a rare sight:  3 assists … 3 turnovers in the game

Thumbs Up:
- Chris Bosh carrying the team in the 1^ST half … single-handedly keeping the Raptors in the game

Thumbs Down:
- Toronto blowing an 8-point lead (their biggest of the game) with 10:05 to go … losing by 8.  That’s a 16-point swing in 10 minutes.  Ouch.

Smith says:
- “Toronto’s defence – which was so impressive against the Cavs on Wednesday – hibernated too often against the Grizzlies.”

Jones Says:
- “I was impressed with the game of DeMarre Carroll.”

Keep the 3-ball Steak Alive (862 games and counting):
- The Raptors were 7 of 22 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Magic @ Raptors – Sunday November 1 2009 – 1:00pm Eastern
- Tune in at 12:30pm for the pre game show and just after 1:00pm for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

—–

Here’s our post game chat (sponsored by Alice Fazoolis) with Grizzlies guard OJ Mayo:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/OJMayo-Fan-20091030.mp3]

Friday October 30 2009 – 3:15pm Central – Memphis, TN

We are WAY late in getting this VLOG posted today … we ran into some major technical issues with the website (the VLOG itself was recorded more than 2 hours ago).  Sorry!

But here it is …

The return of the WORLD FAMOUS (haha) Smith and Jones VLOG.

Often imitated, but never duplicated!  We’re glad to be back for another season of VLOGGIN’

E. Smith

Thursday October 29 2009 - 5:57pm Central – Memphis, TN

My internet connection was wonky earlier today and I couldn’t get this posted before the flight to Memphis. 

So, hey, better late than never … to recap last night’s action:  

Cavs @ Raptors 

Final Score: 
101-91, Toronto 

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- CHRIS BOSH
21 points
16 rebounds
9/12 FT 

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- ANDREA BARGNANI
28 points
5 rebounds
11/15 FG 

Shout-out to the Cavaliers:
- LEBRON JAMES
23 points
12 assists
11 rebounds
7/19 FG 

Stats that stood out:
- In spite of his triple-double, LeBron was just 8 of 14 from the FT line
- Tight on the Glass:  49-48 REBOUNDING advantage for the Cavs
- Points in the Paint:  38-32 Raptors
- Anderson Varejao:  0/5 FG, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 24:52 minutes    

Thumbs Up:
- Antoine Wright.  Forget about the stats (5 points, 4 rebounds in 18:01 minutes).  He brought intensity on D, put his body on the line a number of times and drew a couple of charges, made LeBron work, and drained a clutch 3-ball in the 4TH QRT as well. 

Thumbs Down:
- The “star system” of the NBA … when the officials didn’t even FLINCH when LeBron James ran over Chris Bosh in the 4TH QRT and Bosh was the one that got whistled for the foul.  It was blatantly obvious that James should have been called for the charge … buuut … it is what it is. 

Smith says:
- “I’ll admit … when the Cavs erased that 18-point deficit in the 3RD, I thought Toronto was done.  But to the Raptors’ credit, they stormed back, regained control, and used their “D” to slam the door shut on LeBron and the Cavs.” 

Jones Says:
- “Your defence is working when you hold the Cavs to 35 per cent!” 

Keep the 3-ball Steak Alive (861 game and counting):
The Raptors were 8 of 19 from 3PT range 

Next game:
- Raptors @ Grizzlies – Friday October 30 2009 – 8:00pm Eastern
- Tune in at 7:00pm for the pre game show and just after 8:00pm for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

* Be sure to check back tomorrow for the first VLOG of the 2009-10 season!  Often immitated, never duplicated … the VLOG is back.

Here’s the official release from the Toronto Raptors:

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have exercised the fourth year
team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of guard Marco Belinelli. Belinelli is now
guaranteed through the 2010-11season. In accordance with the league’s collective
bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on
Belinelli. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal was not disclosed.

Belinelli had 10 points in 19 minutes in Wednesday’s season-opening win versus
Cleveland.

The 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Belinelli averaged 8.9 points, 2.1
assists, 1.7 rebounds and 21.0 minutes in 42 games last season with Golden State. He
registered four 20-point games during the 2008-09 campaign, including a career-high 27
points December 12, 2008 at Atlanta.

Through 76 career games Belinelli owns a .397 mark from three-point range (69-
for-174). As a rookie he appeared in 33 games, averaging 2.9 points in 7.3 minutes.
Prior to joining the Warriors, the 23 year-old, 6-foot-5 guard from Bologna, Italy,
played professionally in Italy for five seasons. In 33 games during the 2006-07 season
with Fortitudo Bologna in Serie A, Belinelli averaged 16.4 points, while shooting .544
(99-for-182) from the field. In 13 Euroleague contests, he averaged 12.9 points on .438
(32-for-73) from the field.

In other news: Back, by popular demand, the Roadtrip Vlogs! Try to contain your excitement folks.

Wednesday October 28 2009 – 12:37pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

We’re less than 7 hours away from the first game of the 2009-10 season for the Toronto Raptors.  And 8 teams already have a game in the books … with the Cavs, Celtics, Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Wizards, Blazers, and Rockets getting underway last night.

So … while these ‘excercises’ sometimes prove to be nothing more than a crap-shoot … I tracked down 8 of the top writers and broadcasters in the city and country to find out how they think this year will play out for the Raptors … and for the league overall.

Check out the 2009-10 PREDICTIONS from the panel:

DOUG SMITH (Toronto Star)

* Eastern Final – Orlando over Boston
* Western Final- San Antonio over LA Lakers
* NBA Championship – San Antonio over Orlando

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 43-39.   5TH seed.

LEO RAUTINS (Raptors Television Analyst – The Score / CBC)

* Eastern Final – Boston over Cleveland
* Western Final- LA Lakers over San Antonio
* NBA Championship – Bostonover LA Lakers

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 41 to 45 wins.  6TH – 8TH in the East.

MIKE GANTER (Toronto Sun)

* Eastern Final – Orlando over Cleveland
* Western Final – San Antonio over Portland
* NBA Championship – San Antonio over Orlando

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 44-38.  6TH seed

PAUL JONES (Raptors Radio Play By Play Voice – FAN 590)

* Eastern Final – Boston over Cleveland
* Western Final – San Antonio over LA Lakers
* NBA Championship – Boston over San Antonio

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 43-39.  6TH in the East.  Depends on their start.

ERIC KOREEN (The National Post)

* Eastern Final – Boston over Orlando
* Western Final – San Antonio over LA Lakers
* NBA Championship – San Antonio over Boston

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 42-40.  7TH in the East.

MATT DEVLIN (Raptors Television Play by Play Voice)

* Eastern Final – The East has 3 teams – as we all know – that can win it all.  All 3 made moves this summer that will elevate their teams.  Depth goes to Orlando, but Cleveland has James, Shaq and AP.  And the Celtics have 3 future Hall of Famers.  Health/injuries are always key just like last year with the Celtics (KG) and the Magic (Nelson). How do you pick? All 3 could win.  The top of the East is at an all time high.  It’s a pick’em!  Let’s say … Orlando.  No, no Cleveland.  Wait, wait, wait …Boston.  Yeah, Boston.  I think.
* Western Final – Out West it’s a lot clearer.  It comes down to 2 teams — the Lakers and Spurs.  I’ll go with LA.
* NBA Championship – Lakers in the Finals against Boston.  Wait, maybe Cleveland or Orlando!  Haha.  The East team wins!

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – Raps make the playoffs and win 45+ games

JACK ARMSTRONG (Raptors Television Analyst – TSN)

* Eastern Final – Boston over Cleveland
* Western Final – LA Lakers over Portland
* NBA Championship – Boston over LA Lakers

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 44-38.  6TH seed.

MICHAEL GRANGE (The Globe And Mail)

* Eastern Final – Cleveland over Orlando
* Western Final – LA Lakers over San Antonio Spurs
* NBA Championship – LA Lakers over Cleveland

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 38-44.  10TH in the East.

ERIC SMITH (Raptors Radio Analyst – FAN 590)

* Eastern Final – Boston over Cleveland
* Western Final – LA Lakers over San Antonio
* NBA Championship – Boston over LA Lakers

* Raptors record and playoff seed for 2009/10 – 44-38.  6TH in the East.

—–

Interesting … Michael Grange of the Globe and Mail is the only one of the 9 panelists to have the Raptors OUTSIDE of the post-season picture.

We’ll see how it all plays out … starting at 7pm tonight.

Don’t forget … Jonesy and I will have the tip of the Cavs and Raptors on the FAN 590 … tonight at 7pm!

E. Smith

Wednesday October 28 2009 – 12:31am Eastern – Toronto, ON

Busy ahead folks …

Not only will Jonesy and I have the broadcast of the Cavs and Raptors are 7pm …

But I’ve got “The Game Plan” to host as well … from 2pm-4pm.

And before Jack and I hit the air in our regular slot … we’ll be joined by Jonesy on “The Bullpen” as well.  The 3 of us will guest on Mike Hogan’s show … talkin’ Raptors and NBA ball … from 10am-11am on Wednesday morning.

GAME DAY.  OPENING DAY.  Gotta love it.

E. Smith

Wednesday October 28 2009 – 12:19am Eastern – Toronto, ON

Alright, I was out at the “More Than A Game” movie premiere with the likes of Matt Devlin, Jack Armstrong, Paul Jones, Sherman Hamilton, Leo Rautins, and more …

And Devlin started bustin’ my chops about my “predictions” blog on Raptors.com (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/eric_smith_blog.html) … which was originally posted on Tuesday afternoon.  He was sayin’ his “commentary” needed to be added to his picks (Note:  He was the ONLY one of the “experts” that provided any kind of commentary or explanation for his selections).

So, to take care of my boy Matty D … here’s the “play by play” of Devlin’s end-of-the-season awards …

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
- Tough one.  Blake Griffin on a better team or Tyreke Evans – plenty of shots on a bad team?  I’ll go with Blake.  (NOTE:  Selection was made before Griffin’s injury was announced)

SIXTH MAN: 
- Rasheed Wallace.  Almost every year you can give it to Manu Ginobili, but this year Rasheed gets it in Celtic Green.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
- Dwight Howard

MVP:
- Lebron James.  Back to back.

COACH OF THE YEAR:
- Stan Van Gundy.  Although … maybe we should all vote for Jerry Sloan…seeing that he is a Hall of Fame coach that has never won the award!

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:
- Andrea Bargnani.  The time is now.

Again, the original blog (sans Devlin’s analysis) can be found here:  http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/eric_smith_blog.html

Thanks again to Mike Ganter, Doug Smith, Michael Grange, Leo Rautins, Eric Koreen, Paul Jones, Jack Armstrong, and Devlin for their help.

I’ll be back with more GAME-DAY / OPENING NIGHT bloggin’ later today … including Devlin’s thoughts on the Raptors’ record this year … as well as his East and West predictions as well (and predictions from the above “panel” as well).

E. Smith

Tuesday October 27 2009 – 5:26pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Looking for something to do in the next 90 minutes or so?

Are you a big basketball fan?

Want the chance to hang out with Leo Rautins, Jack Armstrong, Maurizio Gherardini and more?

Got $100 (THAT YOU CAN GET A TAX RECEIPT FOR?) kickin’ around?

Want to help out the National Basketball program AND check out a movie premiere at the same time as well?

Check out the details for Canada Basketball’s “More Than A Game” charitable event at the Scotia Bank Theatre, tonight at 7pm:

EVENT DETAILS:

• Tuesday, October 27, 2009
• 7:00 – 9:30 pm (Registration starts @ 6:30 PM)
• Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond St W., Toronto
• $100 per person (charitable tax receipts available)
• Attire: Film Festival Chic – wear RED and celebrate your Canadian Pride
• Ticket order form – Contact: 416-614-8037 X208 / jarone@basketball.ca

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• B-Ball Chalk Talk with Canadian Hoops celebrities including Maurizio Gherardini, Leo Rautins, Team Canada athletes, Wayne Parrish and hosted by “The Coach” Jack Armstrong
• Q & A session with Film Director Kristopher Belman hosted by movie critic Richard Crouse
• Door prizes
• Spectacular Silent Auction
• Gift bags for all guests

…and of course a chance to preview the film before it hits theatres on October 30th.

I’m going to be there, and I’m looking forward to it!

Hope to see you there.

E. Smith

Tuesday October 27 2009 – 12:13pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

I will have an actual blog later on today …

But for now … just a quick reminder:

Paul Jones and I will be hosting a LIVE CHAT right here on www.fan590.com in less than an hour.

We’ll be answering all of your Raptors and NBA questions (well, as many as we can get to) for a full hour, from 1pm-2pm.

Check back in just over 45 minutes.

E. Smith

Thursday October 22 2009 - 12:33pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Phoenix Suns are in Vancouver … getting set to face the Portland Trailblazers tonight.  Apparently it’s a frenzy of Steve Nash hysteria in Van-City – and understandably so.  As I’ve said a thousand times, it’s a travesty that that city no longer has an NBA franchise and the league should GO BACK to Vancouver one day.  If Charlotte and New Orleans can get a “second chance”, the folks in BC should too!

And for those of you that don’t have a Twitter account, check out what two members of the Suns had to say about their first trip to Vancouver …

Jared Dudley:  “I’m really feeling Vancouver; feels like Toronto.  I’d rather play here then Memphis, LOL.”

Jason Richardson:  “I’m feeling Vancouver.  Sure beats Memphis.”

Nice to see that folks like Dudley and Richardson are confirming what I have been saying for years …

The worst trade in NBA history:  Vancouver for Memphis!

This is a great time to remind folks as well … I have a standing offer on the table to help bring a team back to Vancouver.  And I’ve got Jack Armstrong and Paul Jonesy on board as well.  We each offered-up $25,000 to a potential “expansion bid”.  We figure we need about $250 million to really make a run at a relocation, so we’re only about $249,925,000 shy :)

If you’ve got a few hundred million kickin’ around (Hello Jim Balsillie), feel free to contact me anytime.

Alright folks … I’m off to host “The Game Plan”.  Wayne Parrish – executive director and CEO of Canada Basketball – will join Jack and I in-studio from 2:20pm-3:00pm today (plus many other guests as well).

Have a good one

E. Smith