Monday February 28 2011 – 11:14pm Eastern – Toronto, ON 

It was around this time last night that the Academy Awards were just about wrapping up and “The King’s Speech” was walking home with a lot of the major hardware.

But after a long day of being lulled to sleep by the NHL Trade Deadline — and before heading out to London, England after tomorrow night’s Raptors/Hornets game — I thought I’d have a little fun this evening and bring you a hybrid version of the Oscars …

NBA style …

———-

BEST PICTURE (“The King’s Speech” — but for the NBA we’ll call it BEST TEAM):

Los Angeles Lakers

I expect there’ll be some discussion over this selection by the voting committee looked at a number of factors.  The recent trade involving Kendrick Perkins (and, thus, the added pressure that’s now on Shaquille O’Neal) has cast some doubt regarding the Celtics.  The Heat can barely fill out a starting 5 … let alone go deep into their bench (and they’ve struggled mightily against elite teams this season).  Chicago is good — but they’re not yet ready to be great, and Dallas is dangerous but they seem like a classic example of a team that is good enough to get 50+ wins in the regular season and make noise in the playoffs … but not quite good enough to win the TITLE.  That leaves San Antonio.  They’re deep.  They’re balanced.  They have experience.  They own the best record in the league.  But to be the champs you have to beat the champs and the committee (okay, ME) decided that if there was a 7-game series today, LA would be the favourites due to one man; the game-changer, Kobe Bryant.

BEST ACTOR (Colin Firth — but for the NBA, we’ll call it BEST PLAYER/MVP):

Derrick Rose 

The best player in the game is Bryant.  LeBron James is #2 (well, maybe they should be 1A and 1B).  But if we’re talking about an MVP this season, Rose gets the nod.  He showed a ton of signs of being that ‘future star’ while running the show for the Bulls LAST season.  But Chicago was still on the bubble and came THAT CLOSE to missing the post-season.  However, this year, with a whack of new players around him and his versatile big-man (Joakim Noah) missing 30+ games (with Carlos Boozer banged up for a while as well), Rose had brought the air of confidence back to the Windy City.  The Bulls are 3rd in the East and they have the 5th best winning percentage in the NBA.  And Rose is the reason.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Christian Bale — but for the NBA, we’ll call it BEST SUPPORTING PLAYER)

I feel like I should explain this one a little further before making the selection.

I’m thinking “best player on a team that is maybe in the shadows of another superstar” … or … “best player who is an All Star himself but not quite an MVP candidate” … something like that.  Thus, my call is:

Russell Westbrook

LeBron James will get the MVP vote for a ton of people, but it’s not quite far to call Dwyane Wade a “support player” for the Heat.  Bryant is having another great season with the Lakers but Pau Gasol, this year, has been equally as important.  And how do you truly say who the lead is and who the back-ups are in Boston with Kevin Garnette, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen? 

Westbrook is the perfect compliment to Kevin Durant.  He’s a dynamic point guard that plays well on both ends of the floor … and he can run you out of the gym.  Plus, when Durant has it cookin’, Westbrook knows it’s his duty to feed the fire … but if scoring is need, he can fill it up as well.  Whatever you need/want … the young PG will give it to you.

BEST DIRECTOR (Tom Hooper – but for the NBA, we’ll call it BEST COACH)

Monty Williams

The coach ‘directs’ the players on the floor — during games and in practice.  Just like in Hollywood — where it may be ‘difficult’ to manage the egos of big stars, but it’s certainly easier to bank on their clout and cache — coaching in the NBA is easier with talent.  Star talent.  Phil Jackson may have a difficult time keeping Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal in-line, but at the end of the day he’d rather be coaching those guys than dealing with the headaches of a 20-30 win team. 

The committee (ME), again, had a difficult time deciding on this selection.  Jackson has more talent than Williams.  Ditto for Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich, and Stan Van Gundy.  And while Erik Spoelstra may have a roster that’s thing on depth, his still has a ridiculously powerful 3-headed monster. 

Some will look at Rick Carlisle and Scott Brooks and those guys should be given credit … but at the end of the day … New Orleans is playing fantastic basketball under a rookie head coach.  With a boat-load of issues off the floor and a community that maybe ‘needs’ its team more-so than any other, the pressure of winning for the Hornets isn’t just on the court.  There have been questions about Chris Paul’s future, how good David West really is, if Emeka Okafor can provide anything on the offensive end, and whether or not the team can keep this pace up with a serious (offensive) threat on the 2 and 3.  Yet while the naysayers continue to roll with those theories and claims, Williams has guided to the Hornets to 6th in the mighty West.

Tom Thibodeau was a VERRRY close 2nd.

———-

Feel free to weigh-in with your NBA Oscars below.

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Sunday February 27 2011 – 10:39pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Toronto falls to 16-44 on the season, losing to the Dallas Mavericks, 114-96

THE START

Raptors - went on a 20-1 run at one point and led by as many as 19;  Amir Johnson had 10 PTS on 5/6 FG;  shot 60.9% FG as a team
Mavericks - stormed back to cut the deficit to only 6 after 12:00 min (30-24);  out-scored the Raptors 7-0 in 2nd chance points

AT THE HALF

Raptors - built their lead up to 7 at the half … shooting 52.3% FG;  had 17 assists on 23 FGs in the half;  Jose Calderon with 11 PTS, 6 REB, 5 ASST
Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki with 16 PTS in the QRT after grabbing only 2 in the 1st (7 REB too);  Dallas shot just 9/24 in the QRT

AFTER 3

Raptors - shot just 7/20 FG in the QRT and went from being up 7 to down by 8 at one point;  gave up 13 points off 6 turnovers in the QRT  
Mavericks - held the Raptors to just 15 points in the QRT;  got 10 points in the QRT (and 20 in the game through 3) from Shawn Marion

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - A. Johnson scored another 7 PTS to finish with a team-high 21;  scored 16 of their 24 PTS in the QRT in the paint
Mavericks - shot a blistering 75% in the final frame (15/20 FG);  scored 39 points in the QRT with Nowitzki, Jason Terry & Ian Mahinmi each scoring 9

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Jose Calderon, shooting 29% in February coming into the game, was 7/10 FG for 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists

Andrea Bargnani did not play (flu)

The Raptors gave up 24 points off 13 turnovers (Mavs out-scored Toronto 24-11 in that category)

Mavs out-scored the Raptors 21-10 in 2nd chance points and 21-12 in fast-break points

Nowitzki finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds

Dallas committed only 6 turnovers in the game

With the 18-point win, the Mavs had a 37-point swing in the game (down 19 at one point, to winning by 18).  In fact, it was a 42-point swing at one juncture in the 4th when Dallas had increased its lead to 23 over the Raptors.

———

Post-game interview with Mavericks guard Jose Barea (12 PTS, 9 ASST, 2 REB) + highlights from the game and audio from our post-game show, “The Rap”:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Jose-Barea-es-20110227.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110227.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/The-Rap--es-20110227.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will stay in Toronto and get set to host the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday evening at the ACC.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air that night at 7pm with the tip off.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Sunday February 27 2011 – 2:54pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

We’re about three hours away from the tip-off of the Mavericks and Raptors at the ACC and I thought I’d check in quickly with some game-day number-crunching!

WHERE’D THE O GO?

Wed vs CHI           Fri vs PHX

Points                         118                  92
FG%                            58.1                 50.7
FT Attemps                   34                    23
FT%                            94.1                 65.2
PTS in Paint                 58                    54

The offence will need to be clickin’ tonight as the Mavericks come to town with a defence that has been on the rise for a few years now.  Many people think about guys like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry … and even Jason Kidd (and his 3-point prowess) and assume it’s all-offence, all the time.  But that’s not the case:

BIG D’s D-FENCE

Opp. PPG              Opp. FG%

2008-09           99.8                             45.5
2009-10           99.3                             45.7
2010-11           95.7                             45.0

Speaking of the defence, perhaps the turn-around can be partially attributed to the return of Kidd to the Mavs.  The veteran PG was dealt to Dallas in 2007-08 and appeared in 29 games that season (51 for New Jersey).  But in his full seasons since that deal (including this year), you can see how much things have improved with Kidd’s leadership on the floor.  Perhaps the Mavericks are learning from one of the league’s all-time greatest snipers/swipers:

ALL-TIME STEALS

John Stockton               3,265
Michael Jordan               2,514
Gary Payton                 2,445
Jason Kidd                   2,440

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that his team still can’t score.  Kidd is #3 on the league’s all-time list of 3-point field goals (made), Jason Terry could be headed for another 6^TH Man of the Year award (and would start for a number of teams in the association), and Dirk Nowitzki has torn-up Toronto over the course of his career:

Points                23.7
FG%                  51.2
3PT FG%           44.0
Rebounds         7.5
Minutes            36.2

Jonesy and I will be on the air tonight at 530pm with the pre game show and we’ll have the tip off just after 6pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to the post-game show – “The Rap” – after the ball game as well.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Friday February 25 2011 – 10:59pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Toronto falls to 16-43 on the season, losing to the Phoenix Suns, 110-92

THE START

Raptors - Andrea Bargnani had 5 of Toronto’s 6 field goals (Raps were 6/20 FG … Bargs was 5/7 alone);  Toronto down 35-14 after 1 QRT
Suns - Vince Carter scored 11 points on 5/7 FG;  PHX out-rebounded the Raptors 15-8;  Carter added 4 steals in the QRT as well

AT THE HALF

Raptors - shot 12/19 FG in the QRT and got 12 points in the QRT from DeMar DeRozan but still trailed 60-42 at the half
Suns - beating the Raptors in 2nd chance points at the half, 8-2;  fast-break advantage for PHX, 15-4;  led by as many as 24

AFTER 3

Raptors - cut the lead from 18 to 12 about 90 seconds into the QRT but never got any closer … falling down by as many as 26 PTS    
Suns - 12-4 2nd chance points after 3 and 21-6 on the fast-break … beating the Raptors at their own game in a sense;  Steve Nash 11 assists through 3 QRTs

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - Leandro Barbosa scored 15 PTS in the QRT on 7/8 FG but clearly it was too little too late for Toronto … as they lose by 18 (same as the halftime deficit)
Suns - gave up 10 points off turnovers in a fairly sloppy QRT but the game was well in-hand anyway and, thus, it didn’t matter!

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Jose Calderon finished 0/3 for 0 points, 7 assists, and 3 turnovers.   Rough night

Bargnani finished 12/15 FG for a game-high 26 points … a solid effort wasted in a rough night by the team overall

James Johnson started his 2nd straight game for Toronto (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals in 27:34 minutes)

Nash was just 2/12 FG (7 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists) and did not play a single second in the 4th QRT

Marcin Gortat played 33:45 minutes off the Suns’ bench … grabbing the double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds

Toronto, #1 in the league in fast-break points, was out-scored in that slot by PHX … 26-11

———

Post-game interview with Suns guard Vince Carter(17 PTS, 7 REB, 6 STL) + highlights from the game and audio from our post-game show, “The Rap”:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Vince-Carter-es-20110225.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110225.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/The-Rap-es-20110225.mp3]
———-

The Raptors will stay in Toronto and get set to host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday evening at the ACC.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air that night at 530pm with the pre game show and we’ll have tip off just after 6pm.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Friday February 25 2011 – 3:16pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

We’re about 4 hours away from tip-off between the Suns and Raptors and I figured it was a good time to check in with some stats and stories to keep an eye on during tonight’s tilt at the ACC.  Plus, I’ve got a mini Tweet Spot for ya as well.

Let’s get rolling …

———-

HEY, WHA’ HAPPENED?

The Raptors’ offence exploded on Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls — as Toronto walked away with a hard-earned win.  And the Raps will need that firepower clickin’ again this evening because, believe it or not, the Suns have actually transformed themselves into a pretty decent defensive team.  Check it out:

1^st 30 Games        Last 25

PPG allowed           110.0                     99.7
Opp FG%                49.0                       44.6

The Suns have allowed only 95.2 PPG over the last 11 games

Thus, Jay Triano will hope to press the right buttons this evening … and bottle-up that success from Wednesday.  The Raptors looked like world-beaters at times against the boys from the Windy City (in spite of the fact that the “W” moved Toronto to a whopping 16 wins for the year).  It may have just been ‘one of those nights’ but it was fun to watch nonetheless:

Wed vs CHI      Season Avg

Points/Game            118                  99.0
Field Goal%               58.1                46.5
FTA/Game                34                   23.6
Free Throw%            94.1                 75.6
Pts in Paint                58                   45.1

———-

HOW TWEET IT IS

@!MMTheRook – Are you sold on James Johnson as a piece for the Raptors future?
@Eric__Smith – Nobody can be (realistically) after just 1 game.  But do I think he can play and do I think it was a good deal for Toronto?  Yes

@jpraw – Who’s going to be our GM/President next season?
@Eric__Smith – I’ve said all along that I believe it’s going to be Bryan Colangelo.  So I won’t back down from that now

@thekriks – Will Blake Griffin stay a Clipper after his rookie contract done or sign somewhere else?
@Eric__Smith – Waaaay too early to know.  However, my gut says he’ll stay – at least for 1 extension – cause LA will max him out for sure

@Chris_4ever – Do you see Bargnani or Jose Calderon being with us next season?
@Eric__Smith – Bargnani, yes.  Calderon … I don’t know.  They already tried to move him once (last summer to Charlotte)

@georgeTanv – Do you think the Nets will make the playoffs this season? And when do they become a legitimate threat?
@Eric__Smith – This year?  No way.  But a playoff team next?  Yes, the should be in the hunt for sure

@DH_Alvarez – How much more difficult is it now for the Raps, especially with their division?
@Eric__Smith – We both know the answer to that question.  And it’s:  VERY DIFFICULT.  Celts Big 3 … Amare/Melo … D-Will.  Ouch.

@eliasjams – If OKC can develop some chemistry, can they beat the Lakers and Spurs in the Playoffs?
@Eric__Smith – I don’t think so.  Not yet.  I like their team but I don’t see them in the championship – winning the West – quite yet

@jakob_huber – Will Vince receive the same amount of venom from the crowd tonight or has Bosh replaced him?
@Eric__Smith – Based on what I heard at the Heat game, it was a letdown (RE: the noise).  Thus, I assume it’ll still be wild(er) for VC

* Remember, if you’re not on Twitter, you can sign up for free at www.twitter.com and follow me at www.twitter.com/Eric__Smith

———-

DID YOU SEE VC?

Finally, tonight’s game presents quite the dilemma for many fans:  Cheer for Steve Nash or BOO Vince Carter?  I’m sure it’ll be a little bit of Column A and a little bit of Column B for a lot of folks out there!

But say what you will about VC … he’s been a beast at the ACC since leaving town:

22 Regular Season games at the ACC since leaving Toronto
PPG:  21.5
FG%:  43.8
FT attempts per game:  4.8
REB:  6.5
Record:  11-11

In 6 of those 22 games, he has gone for 30+ points

———-

Paul Jones and I will be on the air at 7pm with all of the action.

We’ll have full post-game coverage as well — with “The Rap” — until 11pm.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Wednesday February 23 2011 – 10:55pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

If you missed our chat with newest Raptor, James Johnson, you can listen to it here:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/James-Johnson-es-20110223.mp3]

That was Johnson’s first “1 on 1″ interview in Toronto and it originally aired on the halftime show of our Raptors/Bulls broadcast.

In Johnson’s debut with Toronto, he tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in 26:29 minutes … and the Raps won the game 118-113.

Have a good one folks. 

E. Smith

Wednesday February 23 2011 – 10:21pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Toronto improves to 16-42 on the season, beating the Chicago Bulls, 118-113

THE START

Raptors - James Johnson started in place of Sonny Weems;  Andrea Bargnan led the Raps with 8 PTS;  Johnson 3 REB in his 1st QRT with TOR
Bulls - Joakim Noah returned to the line up for the first time in 30 games and had 10 REB in the 1st QRT;  CHI out-rebounded TOR 16-9

AT THE HALF

Raptors - fell down by as many as 8 points but used a blistering 57.5% FG in the half to cut CHI’s lead to 3 at the break;  Jose Calderon with 12 first half ASST
Bulls - Derrick Rose struggled to just 2/9 FG for 6 PTS in the half;  Chicago had 17 fast-break points in the half;  Carlos Boozer with a team-high 15 PTS

AFTER 3

Raptors - put up their 2nd-straight 30-point QRT and take a 4-point lead after 3 (85-81);  good hustle/energy from J. Johnson;  holding Rose to 4/14 FG
Bulls - fell down by as many as 9 (a 12-point swing when you factor-in CHI’s 3-point halftime lead);  shooting only 42.6% FG as a team through 3

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - coughed up a 9-point lead and saw the Bulls tie it late;  Amir Johnson with 2 big FGs late (finished 8/8 FG) to ice the game (finsished with 17 PTS)
Bulls - Rose came alive for 19 points in the QRT and nearly brought the Bulls back to steal the game but he missed a late jumper that led to TOR winning

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Raptors now 12-5 when leading after 3

Bulls now 2-12 when their opponent scores 100+ points

Rose scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the 4th QRT

Calderon finished with 17 assists in 39:43 minutes

In his Toronto debut, J. Johnson had 9 poitns, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks in 26:29 min

Toronto is now 10-8 this year when holding teams under 45% FG

Noah grabbed 16 rebounds in 24:36 minutes for CHI

Chicago scored 30 fast break points (Toronto, #1 in the league in that category, had 15)

The Raptors scored 58 of their 118 points in the paint

———-

Post-game interview with Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (24 PTS, 4 ASST, 3 REB) + highlights from the game and audio from our post-game show, “The Rap”:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/DeMar-DeRozan-es-20110223.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110223.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/The-Rap-es-20110223.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will stay in Toronto and get set to host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns on Friday evening at the ACC.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air that night at 7pm with the tip off.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Tuesday February 22 2011 -9:44pm Eastern – Charlotte, NC

Toronto falls to 15-42 on the season, losing to the Charlotte Bobcats, 114-101

THE START

Raptors - came out with good energy but sputtered in the final 3-4 min;  Andrea Bargnani leading the way with 7 points on 3/3 FG
Bobcats - DJ Augustin had 11 points in the QRT;  Charlotte had 10 assists on 12 FGs;  erased a 4-point TOR lead to go up 6 (33-27) after 1

AT THE HALF

Raptors- shot just 7/19 FG in the 2nd QRT;  tacked on 6 more turnovers after giving up 6 in the 1st Q as well;  down by 17 at the half
Bobcats - Augustin and Stephen Jackson combined for 25 of the Cats 61 points in the 1st half;  Boris Diaw with a game-high 7 asst in the 1st half

AFTER 3

Raptors - Toronto’s offence bounced back … led by DeMar DeRozan’s 8 in the QRT but 19 points off turnovers by CHAR through 3 haunted the Raps
Bobcats - Augustin and Gerald Wallace each had 7 points in the QRT;  Cats shot 11/19 FG in the 3rd and increased their lead to 20 (89-69)

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - Jerryd Bayless had 7 assists and 7 points (10 and 11 total for the game) in the 4th;  TOR skunked in 2nd chance points in the final frame
Bobcats - Gerald Henderson led the surge in garbawwwge time with 10 in the QRT (15 for the game);  Cats out-rebound the Raps 14-8 in the 4th

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Bobcats are now 16-3 when leading after 3

Toronto falls to 7-32 when allowing opponents to score 100 or more points

Charlotte lost Stephen Jackson in the 3rd QRT to left hamstring injury

Gerald Wallace had a 20-point night on only 3 field goals!  He was 3/6 FG but 14/15 from the FT line.  Aggressive.

Toronto announced the acquisitioin of James Johnson from the Bulls just prior to the game

The Raptors were out-scored in the paint, on the fast break, and in 2nd chance points as well. 

———-

Post-game interview with Bobcats forward Boris Diaw (16 PTS, 9 ASST, 3 REB, 4 STL) + highlights from the game:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Boris-Diaw-es-20110222.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110222.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will hop on a flight back to Toronto and get set to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday evening at the ACC.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air on tomorrow with the pre game show at 7pm with the tip off.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Tuesday February 22 2011 – 12:10pm Eastern – Charlotte, NC

We’re back for our 2nd straight VLOG from the Queen City … and this time we DO have a trade to talk about!

The Melo-drama is finally over; Carmelo Anthony has been dealt to the New York Knicks.

For thoughts on that deal and how it impacts the East, the Atlantic Division, and the Toronto Raptors specifically … check out the latest world-famous Sportsnet Radio, The Fan 590 VLOG.

(there’s a ton of info on the Raptors and Bobcats as well — as Jonesy and I were busy at work this morning … snagging 1 on 1′s with Jay Triano, Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Julian Wright, and Charles Oakley)

We’ll be on the air tonight at 7pm with the tip off.

You can hear Jonesy’s chat with Calderon – in its entirety – during our halftime show this evening.  The other interviews (Oakley, Wright, Triano, and DeRozan) are posted below.

Charles Oakley
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/oakleyjones.mp3]

Julian Wright
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/wrighteric.mp3]

Jay Triano
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/trianoeric.mp3]

DeMar DeRozan
[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/derozaneric.mp3]

Have a good one!

E. Smith