Sunday October 31 2010 – 7:40pm Pacific – Sacramento, CA

Paul Jones, Jim LaBumbard (Toronto Raptors Director of Media Relations) and I just got back from the Raiders-Seahawks games … after watching Oakland POUND Seattle in a 30-3 win.

Jonesy and I did a quick VLOG – prior to the game – so check it out:

We’ll get back to the Raptors tomorrow.

E. Smith

Sunday October 31 2010 – 9:20am Pacific – Sacramento, CA

For some reason folks have been jumping on the Raptors early-season attendance totals at the ACC.

Toronto drew 18,722 at the home/season opener against New York and 15,711 against Cleveland on Friday night.  A sellout for basketball at the ACC is 19,800.

While those totals are about 1100 and 4100 butts-in-seats below capacity, I don’t think there’s any major reason to be jumping off bridges RE: ATTENDANCE quite yet.  Those aren’t bad numbers at all when compared with most cities in the NBA.

In fact, I checked the stats of the teams in the league that have played TWO home games already and Toronto would rank 6th in attendance.  Now, that number isn’t very accurate given that:
(a) it’s only two games in
(b) home/season openers generally tend to draw large crowds in most cities; with significant drop-offs in game 2, 3, and beyond
(c) once teams like the Bulls, Lakers, Blazers, Mavs, etc. host their second home game — they’ll bump Toronto down a ton of pegs from that #6 slot I talk about.

That said, if you look at the opening night number alone — 18,722 — Toronto would be 11th in the league.  That’s where their opening night totals would rank them.

Remember, this is a Raptors team that had an 87% renewal in season seats in spite of losing their franchise player in the off-season and missing the playoffs for 2 straight years.  87 per cent!

TOMORROW

No changes are expected for the Raptors tomorrow when they face the Sacramento Kings.

Andrea Bargnani, Linas Kleiza, Reggie Evans, DeMar DeRozan, and Jarrett Jack will remain in the starting five.

Paul Jones and I will be on the air with the pre-game show at 9:30pm on the FAN 590 and we’ll have the tip just after 10pm.

I’ll have more on the game itself following tomorrow’s game-day shoot-around.

TODAY

I’m off to Oakland — about a 90 minute drive — to see the Raiders and Seahawks.

I’ll try to bring some pictures back with me — and maybe a VLOG too.

I hope I survive.  Jonesy will have my back.

E. Smith

Friday October 29 2010 – 3:54pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

While the attention in Raptorland should be focused entirely on the Cavaliers (and it is for the players and coaches) many fans are talking about the FAN 590′s exclusive interview with Miami Heat forward, Chris Bosh, earlier this morning.

Bosh contacted the FAN, asking to come on the radio to ‘clear the air’ (no pun intended) regarding his recent comments about U.S. television and exposure and how much those factors played into his decision to leave Toronto and head to South Beach a few months ago.

If you missed the interview, give yourself 15 minutes and check it out:

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20101029_092815_4892

Folks have been asking me – ‘Do you believe what Bosh had to say this morning?  Did you think he was sincere?’

The only thing I can say to that is this …

In 7 years of covering Chris Bosh, I never had a problem with him as a player or as a person.  I believe we had/have a personal relationship as well – at least in terms of being cordial to one another and getting along on and off the floor.  But we never broke bread together or hung out.  Most of our contact came within the walls of an arena, airplane, or hotel.  And at no point did I ever think Bosh wasn’t a genuine, down-to-earth, generally good-hearted guy.

That’s why I’ve been so perplexed by some of the comments CB has had in recent days/weeks/months.  Much of what Bosh has said and the way he has acted (at times) seems out of character.  But did I think he was sincere in this morning’s interview with Doug Farraway?  Yes.

BACK TO THE GAME

As for the tilt against the Cavs …

It’ll be nice to see Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Joey Graham again.

But this Cleveland team is in a similar situation to what the Raptors are facing — both clubs are hoping to stay (or get) on track without their franchise players that carried them for the past 7 years.

However, the Cavs SHOULD be that much further ahead still. 

Though losing LeBron James cannot be glazed over, the fact is that the core of the Cavaliers is still locked in with guys like Mo Williams, AP, Anderson Varejao, JJ Hickson, Daniel Gibson, Antawn Jamison, and more.  There is still talent in Cleveland and a good chunk of the roster has been together long enough that chemistry should not be a major issue. 

The addition of Ramon Sessions and the health (finally) of Leon Powe should help keep things afloat as well.

Will the Cavs fall in the standings?  Absolutely.  I put them in that group of teams that are jumbled-up between 7th/8th and 15th in the East.  But Byron Scott’s Princeton offence will give teams around the NBA issues and their defence was one of the best during the pre-season.  So don’t take the Cavaliers lightly!

Toronto will catch a break tonight as well – big time – as, unfortunately, Varejao is away from the team to be with his Dad (who is having heart surgery) and Williams may not play as well … dealing with an ill father in law.

BOO!

Speaking of taking things lightly …

If you scare easily, stay away from Amir Johnson!

GO WEST

After tonight’s game the Raptors hit the road for 4 out west … in Sacramento, Utah, LA, and Portland.

But Jay Triano said – cliche or not -he’s simply taking each contest on a game by game basis right now.  He hasn’t broken down the schedule in little 3 or 5 game ‘sections’ like he has done in the past.  Not yet.  He simply wants his club to get that first win – hopefully tonight – and get its feet wet in the season before trying to dissect weeks, months, or stretches of games on the sked.

That said, Triano, Andrea Bargnani, and Jose Calderon all said this morning that leaving for the west coast at 1-1 as opposed to 0-2 would be a big confidence boost and, somewhat surprisingly, all 3 men said a win at home was just as important for the FANS — to thank them for their support early in the season (including the 18,700 that were at the ACC for Wednesday’s home/season opener).

———-

Paul Jones and I are on the air at 7pm tonight. 

And don’t forget to check out our post-game show – “The Rap” – live from the Real Sports Apparel store, just outside Gate 5 of the ACC.  We’ll be on the air – breaking down the game and taking your calls – ’til 11pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Friday October 29 2010 – 6:48am Eastern – Toronto, ON 

The Raptors play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight – and here’s a brief run-down from the FAN 590′s, Eric Prime, of what went down at yesterday’s practice at the ACC:

- Ed Davis was on the floor for the first time since his knee surgery.  Though his return is a good sign, he didn’t take part in any “contract” drills and no timetable has been given for return.  Davis will be re-evaluated after some more practice; when the doctors and trainers see how the knee is responding to the work.

- Leandro Barbosa spoke about his wrist injury and the fact that he apparently won’t be having surgery.  He will continue to wear a protective brace (which he had on against the Knicks on Wednesday night) for an extended period.  He admitted that the brace does impact his shooting — it’s on hist shooting hand — but he will get used to it.

             - He also joked about not knowing the 7pm start time to Wednesday’s game against New York.  Tongue clearly in-cheek … he said he thought he was still in Phoenix and, thus, it was an 8pm tip-off … that’s why he didn’t “show up” until later in the game.  He was 0′fer in the first half -vs- NYK.

- Jay Triano was trying to highlight the positives from Wednesday night’s game – in spite of the 98-93 loss for the Raps.  He specifically mentioned the low number of turnovers (especially in the 2nd half) and Toronto’s solid defense that kept the Knicks to just 43% from the floor.  He said he was confident that his team will not be shooting in the 30′s this season (that Raptors shot 38.3% against New York) and attributed the poor offensive performance in Game 1 to first game jitters (missing layups etc).

             - Triano also notes that the Cavs are good team – in spite of the departure of LeBron James.  They had a great opening night win against Boston and a solid run in the pre-season too.  He said they’re a high energy club that players great defense, and he admitted that Cleveland may be somewhat ahead of his team in this process (probably due to the chemistry of the existing players – outside of James).

- Andrea Bargnani was pretty quiet but did note that he was pleased with his work near the basket on opening night - and that he didn’t attempt a ton of 3-balls.  Clearly he has to improve on his 1 of 9 shooting in the 2nd half though (after an outstanding 18-point-performance in the 1st half).

———-

We’ll have more from the Raptors game-day shoot-around later today.

The Raptors and Cavs are on the FAN 590 at 7pm tonight.  Paul Jones and I will have all of the action – including a full post-game show (“The Rap”) ’til 11pm.  Don’t forget … if you’re at the game or in the area, stop by and see us at our new post-game location … inside the Real Sports Apparel store, within Maple Leaf Square (just outside Gate 5 of the ACC).

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Thursday October 28 2010 – 3:52pm Eastern – Toronto, ON 

1.  Jay Triano did what he said he’d do.  After yesterday morning’s shoot-around, Triano was asked how he would handle late-game scenarios when a bucket was needed to tie or win a game.  The coach said he’d likely go with the ‘hot hand’ … knowing that he probably doesn’t have a true ‘go-to’ guy quite yet.  Last night, that hot hand was Leandro Barbosa.  But the Brazilian Blur had his mail read by former coach, Mike D’Antoni, and the Knicks covered Barbosa’s game-tying 3-point attempt like a blanket.  Based on how the 4th QRT was unfolding, Jarrett Jack would have been the other option (in terms of ‘hot hands’) but those wanting Andrea Bargnani should be reminded that his outstanding 1st half was followed by a 1 for 9 FG second half.

2.  Free throw shooting may be an issue this season.  Granted, the Raps missed only 6 (18/24) against the Knicks … but I’m keeping an eye on this one as the season unfolds. 

3.  Twice last night I had visions of Vince Carter when DeMar DeRozan went to the hoop.

4.  You need to get Reggie Evans in your fantasy pools ASAP.  In all seriousness though, while 1 game doesn’t make a season, was I the only one wondering last night … ‘What if Toronto had this kind of rebounding LAST season?’ … Hmmm.  Too bad Reg was shelved in 2009-10.  Hopefully he can bring it night in and night out for the Raps this season.  I love the fact that he stole the rebound from teammates at least 3-4 times last night as well – it was funny to watch.  That’s what you’ve got to do though; let him grab the boards and fill his stat line in that category ’cause if you’re not letting him shoot much or involve him in the offence much, you’ve gotta keep him happy and hungry in other ways!

5.  The “Red and Black ATTACK” would have looked great in a playoff game against the Cavs last spring.

6.  Jack and Linas Kleiza are on the same page already; a combo worth watching in the coming days and weeks. 

7.  While Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani were taking a ton of heat during the pre-season for their sub-par play, Sonny Weems flew under the radar.  It’s not that he was ‘bad’ … but there has to be another level for him in his second season with the Raps.  Hopefully there are bigger things to come than 2 for 6 in 20 minutes (6 points, 2 rebounds) last night.  I’m sure Weems will bounce back … but he, Calderon, and Barbosa were a combined 10/30 FG last night (your top 3 scorers off the bench). 

8.  Before last night, most people (including me) felt that Toronto’s offence would be fine … but it was on the defensive side of the ball where the Raps would struggle.  Well, the Raptors held New York to under 100 points on only 43% shooting.  But offensively, Toronto was offensive … mustering 93 points on 38.3% from the floor.  You not going to beat anyone – consistently – shooting 38.3%.  Jack chalked it up to first-game “jitters” after the game.  I hope he’s right. 

9.  Amir Johnson has GOT to stay out of foul trouble.  David Andersen did a nice job picking up the slack for the bigs in the 2nd unit, but if Toronto has any hope of being successful this season, Johnson has to play in control and simply stay on the floor.  That said, he was facing a VERY tough cover (for him) in the smaller, quicker, better-with-the-ball – Wilson Chandler.

10.  First technical of the year:  Calderon.  First flagrant of the year:  Andersen.  You should be a multi-millionaire right now if you placed a wager on either of those ‘stories’ before last night’s tip. 

———-

The FAN 590′s Eric Prime was at Raptors practice today and will be filing some reports later on.  So check back for more info from this afternoon’s workout … and I’ll try to hook you up with the ‘audio’ from today’s scrums too.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Wednesday October 27 2010 - 2:08pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

I just got back from the Raptors game-day shoot-around and here’s the latest …

Not that it’s any great surprise, but Toronto will start:

PG – Jarrett Jack
SG – DeMar DeRozan
SF – Linas Kleiza
PF – Reggie Evans
C – Andrea Bargnani

The good news for the Raptors as well is that Leandro Barbosa’s wrist injury is NOT going to keep him out of the line up tonight.  Jay Triano said ”The Brazilian Blur” will suit up and be good-to-go.

Triano will likely use a 10-man rotation this evening and in the immediate future, with Jose Calderon, Sonny Weems, Amir Johnson, Barbosa, and David Andersen comprising T.O.’s second unit.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY

New York Knicks practice (ran from 10am-11am)

Amare Stoudemire scrum:
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/amarestoudemire-scrum-20101027.mp3]

Andy Rautins scrum:
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/andyrautins-scrum-20101027.mp3]

Toronto Raptors practice (fan from 11am-12pm – with a video session that followed)

Jay Triano scrum:
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/jaytriano-scrum-20101027.mp3]

Jarrett Jack scrum:
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/jarrettjack-scrum-20101027.mp3]

Reggie Evans scrum:
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/reggieevans-scrum-20101027.mp3]

PLAY BY PLAY PREDICTIONS

Both Matt Devlin (Raptors TV Play By Play) and Paul Jones (Raptors Radio Play By Play) were swamped yesterday and weren’t able to take part in my “predictions” blog. 

But I tracked them down this morning and got them to chime-in with their prognostications for the 2010/11 season.  Check it out:

JONES …

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Boston
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “Toronto will be a hard working team and will surprise people.  They should be in a fight for the playoffs at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff ladder.”

DEVLIN …

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Miami
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “I have no doubt the Raptors will exceed the lowly expectations of all those south of here who didn’t take the time to watch them in the preseason. I’m not going to put an exact number on it, don’t know if it matters anyway.  The tone has been set by Jay Triano and his staff:  get after it every single play and nothing short of that is acceptable.  You play hard in this league night in and night out and you will win games.  I’ve seen it before and I have a feeling we’ll see it again.”

BACK AT IT

Don’t forget … tonight the FAN 590 will have a special ONE HOUR pre-game show from 6pm-7pm.  Paul Jones and I will bring you as many interviews and as much insight as we can in 60 minutes.  Then … at 7pm … we’ll get set from the tip-off of the Knicks and Raptors.

Plus, stick around after the game ’cause we’ll be on the air until 1030pm with “The Rap” – our post game show – live from the Real Sports Apparel store within Maple Leaf Square.

———-

E. Smith

Wednesday October 27 2010 – 9:11am Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Raptors haven’t been on the floor in 6 months and the Lakers hoisted the NBA Championship more than 4 months ago.  Man, time flies!

The 2010-11 regular season is upon us — with action actually tipping off last night with a Heat loss and  Kobe and Co. comeback — as the New York Knicks come to town to face the Bosh-less Raps.

The FAN 590 is proud to be back as the voice of the Raptors and both Paul Jones and I will be back with pre and post game coverage as well.

Things get underway at 6pm this evening with a special 1-hour pre-game show.  Then, after the broadcast, Jonesy and I will host “The Rap” until 10:30pm from our new post-game location … inside Real Sports Apparel store at Maple Leaf Square.

Check back later on this morning for more news specifically related to the Raptors, their line up, and players/coaches thoughts on tonight’s tilt against the Knicks.

Have a good one folks.

E. Smith

Tuesday October 26 2010 – 10:44am Eastern – Toronto, ON

The 2010-11 NBA season tips off in just under 9 hours … with the Celtics and Heat going toe to toe.

Toronto opens up its regular season tomorrow night, hosting Amare Stoudemire and the NY Knicks.

So before everything begins officially … I tapped into the local and national print and broadcast talent … asking them for their thoughts on the season ahead. 

Check out this list of bold predictions to see what they had to say.

And feel free to leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below as well.

Here’s what the ‘experts’ had to say:

———-

ERIC KOREEN (National Post)

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Miami
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  Miami
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “It comes down to the players, and the Raptors do not have anybody with legitimate all-star credentials.  It is going to be a long year.  Even in the weak Eastern Conference, the playoffs are a long shot.”

LEO RAUTINS (Raptors TV Analyst – Sportsnet)

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Boston
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  Boston
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “If the Raps scrap, fight, and catch some breaks…you never know who can steal the 8th spot.”

JACK ARMSTRONG (Raptors TV Analyst – TSN) 

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Boston 
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “The Raptors are quite low (according to most experts) - which I don’t necessarily disagree with.  But in spite of some defensive questions and talent issues I like what I see in terms of effort, chemistry and role definition. It’s still a team game and so often the team that plays together and plays harder than the other guy gives itself a chance each game. This group looks like they’re willing to do that. Only time will tell if that’s good enough. Big question of the year will be how Bryan Colangelo decides to use the sizable Trade Exception that he got in the Chris Bosh transaction.  That will have a big say in the short term and MUCH more importantly — the long-term direction/success of the franchise.”  

MIKE GANTER (Toronto Sun) 

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Boston 
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  Boston
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “32 wins.  I don’t believe they will be as bad as the world is predicting. Whether they make the playoffs or not will have more to do with what transpires in Charlotte, NJ, NY, Indiana, and Philly.”

ERIC SMITH (Raptors Radio Analyst) – Hey, that’s me!

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Miami 
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “You could sit me down right now and sell me on this team being a 40-win club based on them out-working and out-hustling their opponents on most nights; trying to be last year’s Milwaukee Bucks or the Orlando Magic / Doc Rivers Coach-of-the-Year team from years gone by (that had less talent than this Raptors’ squad).  Or you could sell me on this being a 20-win team based on the theory that you can’t get BETTER when you lose a 5-time All Star and ’20 and 10′ performer; being a club with no true star.  I really don’t know what to expect from Toronto – and that’s the first time I’ve said that since they came into the league.  But at the end of the day, I don’t see a major difference between a lot (most?) of clubs between 7th/8th and 15th in the East.”

MICHAEL GRANGE (Globe and Mail)

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Miami
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “26-56.”

BRUCE ARTHUR (National Post)

- Eastern Conference Champion:  Miami 
- Western Conference Champion:  LA Lakers
- NBA Champions:  LA Lakers
- Prediction for and/or Thoughts on the Raptors:  “Toronto will win 23 games.”

———-

E. Smith

Monday October 25 2010 – 11:52am Eastern – Toronto, ON 

In recent days there has been a story swirling around NBA circles that the league MAY look to contract a franchise or two when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30 2011.  If the league can’t come to an agreement with the players association — or even if they CAN — David Stern has hinted that contraction may be a way to help curb spending and bring player costs down for the owners and general managers throughout the NBA.

Following a conference call with Stern last week, Associated Press quoted the Commish (a story that was even picked up on NBA.com as well), saying: 

“It’s a sensitive subject for me because I’ve spent 27 years in this job working very hard not only to maintain all of our teams, but along the way add a few.  But I think that’s a subject that will be on the table with the players as we look to see what’s the optimum way to present our game, and are there cities and teams that cannot make it in the current economic environment. I’m not spending a lot of time on it.”

But the Toronto Raptors will NOT be one of those teams.

Though some (many?) folks in the U.S. media treat Canada/Toronto-bashing as some sort of tradition or national past-time, the fact is that the Raptors are one of the more profitable organizations in the NBA.  Making the playoffs only 5 times in 15 years is nothing to write home about, but the fan base has continued to support the Raps through thick and thin.  The attendance figures put Toronto in the Top 10 – or top half at the very least – of the league year after year.  And the TV broadcasts generate Top 5 ratings (though that fact gets ignored here in Canada) when compared with the other markets around the league. 

So ignore B.S. stories from folks like BleacherReport.com that try to tell you otherwise. 

( see:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/498867-breaking-nba-open-to-contraction-but-no-teams-specified-like-raptors-grizzlies?search_query=contraction )

I’m not here to rip on the folks at Bleacher Report.  I’m sure they normally run a respectable, reputable website.  I don’t know it well enough to give my own opinion of their overall body of work.  However, in this case … with the story above … they’re completely out to lunch.

Two things (if not more) are wrong with their story.

1 – The headline:  “NBA Open To Contraction, but No Teams Specified Like Raptors, Bobcats, Grizzlies”

I’ll ignore the fact that it’s just a terrible headline.  The headline implies that the Raptors are in trouble or that they’d be on the list of teams that could be facing contraction.  But then their article doesn’t even mention the Raptors!  So why even throw them out so arbitrarily in the headline?!

That leads me to point number two …

2 – The story doesn’t reflect the headline.  The Raptors aren’t mentioned in the body of the text.  Though Toronto is foolishly highlighted in the headline, the story uses a list compiled by FORBES magazine to back-up the argument of teams that could be faced with the contraction issue. 

Bleacher Report states that the bottom 10 teams in the league – in terms of “VALUE” – as stated by Forbes are as follows:

20 – Portland – $307 million
21 – Atlanta – $306 million
22 – Indiana – $303 million
23 – Minnesota – $301 million
24 – Oklahoma City – $300 million
25 – LA Clippers – $297 million
26 – New Jersey – $295 million
27 – Memphis - $294 million
28 – New Orleans – $285 million
29 – Charlotte – $284 million
30 – Milwaukee – $278 million

Again, the Raptors aren’t mentioned in the story and they certainly aren’t listed in the bottom 10 teams RE: “value”

In fact, a further check of Forbes reveals THIS:

The Raptors are 11th in the NBA … valued at $400 million!

So, according to the Bleacher Report headline, a team that is just out of the Top 10 (in value) in its league is facing potential contraction?  A team that is owned be a group that owns the arena they play in, the biggest money-making hockey team in the country (the Leafs), condos, restaurants, and a soccer team … is going to be gone from the league?

Seriously?

This stinks of more ignorance regarding the Canadian market – and Toronto specifically.  This is arbitrary accusation – with little research or reason – at its finest. 

The Raptors are going nowhere folks.  Book it.

E. Smith

—–

For those interested, here is the TOP TEN (in terms of value) in the NBA:

1 – New York – $613 million
2 – LA Lakers – $584 million
3 – Chicago – $504 million
4 – Detroit – $480 million
5 – Cleveland – $477 million
6 – Houston – $469 million
7 – Dallas – $466 million
8 – Phoenix – $452 million
9 – Boston – $447 million
10 – San Antonio – $415 million
* 11 – Toronto – $400 million

Friday October 22 2010 – 7:05pm Eastern – Montreal, QC

We’re less than 5 minutes away from tip off and the Raptors and Knicks are warming up in front of a sellout crowd in Montreal.

Let’s get rolling with this chat!

———-