Wednesday March 30 2011 – 10:57pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Toronto falls to 20-54 on the season, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks … 104-98

THE START

Raptors - started the QRT 11/12 FG (91.7%) but then went 1/7 over the final few minutes to blow a 12-point lead & lead by just 6 (28-22) after 12:00 min
Bucks – coughed up 8 points on 5 turnovers in the QRT;  Andrew Bogut off to a solid start with 6 PTS on 3/3 FG and 5 REB

AT THE HALF

Raptors - still shooting 58.8% FG at the half;  Jose Calderon leading the way for TOR with 12 PTS at the break;  gave up 10 PTS off turnovers in the QRT
Bucks – Brandon Jennings scored 8 PTS in the QRT & had a game-high 13 at the break;  held Toronto to only 2 second-chance points in the first half

AFTER 3

Raptors – Andrea Bargnani scored 12 of his team-high 20 PTS in the QRT;  DeMar DeRozan scored 8 in the QRT (14 after 3)
Bucks – Jennings had 8 more in the 3rd QRT to lead all scorers with 21 after 36:00 min;  got out-rebounded by Toronto 11-6

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors – shot 9/21 FG in the final frame;  Leandro Barbosa – playing a lot at the point due to Calderon’s hamstring injury flaring-up – score 10 in the QRT (18 in the game)
Bucks – veteran big man Drew Gooden scored 12 points in the 4th and finished with 22 points.  He had 9 of his 11 rebounds in the 4th QRT too!

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

The Raptors now 1-5 this year when the game is tied at the end of 3 QRTs

Three of Toronto’s last 4 losses have come after the Raptors LED with under 6 minutes in each of those games

The Raps are 7-46 when their opponent shoots 45% or better

James Johnson had a career high 10 rebounds (in 31 minutes of action)

Calderon left the game early with a left hamstring injury

Bucks big man Jon Brockman was injured in the first half after getting slammed into the basket stanchion.  He did not play in the 2nd half with a shoulder injury

Michael Redd (knee) played his 2nd game of the season (5 PTS on 2/2 FG in 7:48 min)

This was Gooden’s 2nd game back as well … after nearly 2 months on the shelf (foot) 

———

Post-game interview with Bucks center Andrew Bogut (17 PTS, 10 REB, 2 ASST, 2 BLK) + highlights from the game and audio from our post-game show, The Rap:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Andrew-Bogut-ES-PJ-20110330.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Highlights-PJ-20110330.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/The-Rap-ES-PJ-20110331.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will stay in Toronto and practice on Thursday and Friday before hopping on a flight to Chicago. 

Toronto’s next action comes on Saturday night in the Windy City.  The Raptors and Bulls will tip off at 8pm Eastern and Paul Jones and I will be on the air at 730pm with the pre-game show as well.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Wednesday March 30 2011 – 12:09pm Eastern – Toronto, ON 

Last year … they were the Cinderalla story.  Many around the league (including me) had a lot of love for what Scott Skiles was doing with the Milwaukee Bucks.  They had a rookie PG and they were playing without their best player (Michael Redd) and they were climbing the ranks in the Eastern Conference.

In spite of making some waves in the post-season (before bowing out) and acquiring even more depth and talent in the off-season (bringing back John Salmons and picking up pieces like Corey Maggette), the Fear of the Deer hasn’t been as intense this season.

Like many teams … Milwaukee has had to deal with a few injuries this season … most notably … Brandon Jennings.  Their young, dynamic PG missed 19 games between mid-December and late-January and there’s no doubt his absence has/had a lot to do with the Bucks’ slide in the East this year.

                                   This Season     Last Season

Record                          29-44                 46-36
PPG                              91.5                   97.7
PPG allowed                  92.6                   96.0
FG%                             42.7                   43.6

As it stands now … entering action against the Raptors tonight … Skiles and Co. are only 3 games out of the 8TH seed in the Eastern Conference.  But with only 9 games remaining the task is certainly not an easy one!  Tonight is a HUGE game for the Bucks and the Raptors have a chance to play the role of ’spoiler’ …

Here’s a closer look at the Race for 8TH:

8. Indiana        9.Charlotte      10.Milwaukee

vs DET            vs CLE                @ TOR
vs MIL            @ ORL                 @ IND
@ NO              vs WSH               vs PHI
vs WSH           @ CLE                 @ ORL
vs ATL             vs ORL                @ MIA
vs NY              @ MIA                 @ DET
@ ORL              vs DET                vs CLE
                       @ NJ                   vs TOR
                        vs ATL                @ OKC

NOTE:  Indiana holds tie-breaker over Charlotte

——————

Jonesy and I will be on Sportsnet Radio, the FAN 590 at 7pm tonight with the tip off of the Bucks and Raptors.

We’ll stay on the air ’til 11pm with “The Rap” as well.

Tune in tonight!

Have a good one folks

E. Smith  

Monday March 28 2011 - 2:32pm Eastern – Toronto, ON 

MLSE’s “ONE 4 ONE” event goes at Real Sports this evening … but there is certainly bigger news in Raptorland following Toronto’s 1-4 west coast road trip.

Mitch Lawrence – fine NBA writer for the NY Daily News – reported this on the weekend:

——————–

“Despite Toronto losing Chris Bosh and making little progress this season, team president Bryan Colangelo is returning to run the team, according the several league sources. That could be good news for D’Antoni, whose offense has been a bad fit for Anthony. D’Antoni, who worked under Colangelo in Phoenix, might be out of a job if Walsh leaves the Knicks at season’s end. For now, the Raptors plan to bring back coach Jay Triano, despite their awful season. But if D’Antoni becomes available, Triano could be jettisoned. Whether it’s D’Antoni or Triano, the Raptors want to build around rookie big-man Ed Davis and second-year guard DeMar DeRozan. They’re said to be open to moving Andrea Bargnani, who has been anything but an impact player since entering the league in 2007 as the No. 1 overall pick …”

——————–

This Colangelo saga — the President/General Manager who has a contract that expires on June 30  — is something that has been addressed a lot in this space in various VLOGS and blogs as well as Raptors’ pre-game shows … and the broadcast itself too!

Most of the latest ‘talk’ has stemmed from a Dave Feschuk article/column in the Toronto Star a couple of weeks ago that stated Glen Silvestri from the Teachers Pension Fund is allegedly holding up a potential new deal for BC.

From everyone I’ve talked to today … Colangelo has NOT be re-signed. 

So, with due respect to the Daily News, the story is not accurate.  Not yet.

I know and like Lawrence … so I don’t say this disparagingly … but perhaps his sources led him to believe that a contract extension will (eventually) happen or that it’s likely to happen but it’s not done yet.  According to all of the folks I (and Jonesy) have spoken to no extension has been offered yet … let alone signed. 

According to my sources (and this has all been talked about in this space and on the air already) … the Feschuk article is still the most accurate depiction of what is happening.  It basically goes something like this:

Larry Tanenbaum (and Richard Peddie?) wants BC back.  The Teachers aren’t so sure.  Silvestri especially.  And because of the votes the Teachers have on the board … if they truly want to hold back on re-signing Colangelo, they can.  At the very least … they can make it difficult for Larry (and Richard?). 

Further to that … it should be obvious that the talk of Jay Triano leaving and Mike D’Antoni coming in is very premature.  Not only is D’Antoni under contract with the NY Knicks right now (and next season) but Triano’s status will be determined by the GM in Toronto — whoever that may be!  And if’s it’s NOT Bryan Colangelo, one would have to assume that a new general manager MAY want to hire his own guy. 

IF D’Antoni is fired in New York and IF Colangelo is brought back there MAY be something to talk about.  But for now … those are A LOT of IFs.

On top of all of this … the Teachers are trying to sell-off their ownership in MLSE.  So that muddies the waters … big time! 

1.  You’ve got a GM – Colangelo – whose contract expires on June 30. 
2.  His new contract – if it’s coming – is being held up by an ownership group (the Teachers) that may not even be the owners when June 30 rolls around! 
3.  But if the Teachers are around still … they apparently don’t want the current GM. 
4.  However, will the other owner(s) — i.e. Tanenbaum — allow an out-going ownership group to control who the future GM/Pres. of the organization will be!?

And oh by the way … there’s a lockout (potentially) coming too!

With all of this going on, again, it’s premature to say that Colangelo has been re-signed.  He hasn’t.  Not yet.  And this story could continue for many weeks (months?) ahead. 

Have a good one folks.

E. Smith

Saturday March 26 2011 – 11:09pm Pacific – Los Angeles, CA

Toronto falls to 20-53 on the season, losing to the Los Angeles Clippers, 94-90

THE START

Raptors - shot just 8/23 FG (34.8%) but led by 3 (21-18) with 6 PTS from both Amir Johnson and Leandro Barbosa (his, off the bench)
Clippers – shot an identical 8/23 FG (34.8%); held TOR to only 2 fast-break points and zero 2ND chance points

AT THE HALF

Raptors - Ed Davis scored 9 of his team-high 11 PTS in the QRT; TOR still with zero 2ND chance points at the half
Clippers – Blake Griffin had 8 of his game-high 12 PTS in the QRT; fell down by as many as 8 PTS but cut Toronto’s lead to 1 (44-43) at the break

AFTER 3

Raptors – scored eight 2ND chance PTS in the QRT on a 5-1 advantage in offensive rebounding; Jose Calderon had 8 of his team-high 16 PTS in the QRT
Clippers – Griffin was just 1/3 FG in 10:20 min in the QRT; coughed up 10 PTS off turnovers in the QRT (20 for the game) and, thus, trailed by 7 (73-66) in spite of a 10/18 FG QRT

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors – shot just 7/19 FG and finished the game with a woeful 38.8% shooting; Toronto was beat on the glass in the final frame 17-8
Clippers – closed the game on a 24-10 run over the final 8:27 minutes to win the game; Griffin had 8 of his game-high 22 PTS in the final frame

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

The Clippers had their 15th sellout of the season … 19,600

Heading into this game the Clips were 2-36 when trailing after 3 QRTs. They’re now 3-36 (they were down 73-66 after 3)

Conversely … Toronto was 16-7 when leading going into the 4th QRT. They’re now 16-8

Ed Davis had a career-high 21 points

Davis notched his 9th double-double of the season … 21 PTS and 11 rebounds

Reggie Evans (sore foot) and Andrea Bargnani (bone spur) did not play for Toronto

DeMar DeRozan started the game 0/9 FG and finished 3/15 (7 PTS, 6 REB)

The Raptors finished their 5-game west coast trip with a 1-4 record. The trip included 1 big win, 2 massive meltdowns and 2 fourth-quarter blown-lead losses

———

Unfortunately we weren’t joined by a member of the LA Clippers. Instead, enjoy some highlights from the game:

———-

The Raptors will spend the night in LA and then fly home on Sunday morning.

Toronto’s next action comes on Wednesday night – at the ACC – against the Milwaukee Bucks. Paul Jones and I will be on the air that night at 7pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Saturday March 26 2011 – 6:25pm Pacific – Los Angeles, CA

Julian Wright has apologized for refusing to go into the game last night … as the Raptors were being blown out by the Golden State Warriors.

With Toronto down by 35+ points for most of the evening, head coach Jay Triano called upon Wright to go into the game late in the contest.  But the swingman told the coach that he wouldn’t sub-in.  When word of this story leaked out after the final buzzer, there was some talk that Wright may have been sick (he had recently returned from the rest room when Triano called his number) but it turns out the Kansas product’s health had nothing to do with his decision to not enter the game.

Wright addressed the coaches and his teammates in a game-day meeting earlier today.  He apologized for his actions but said “everyone understood” his frustration. 

“The best way to put it is this was not characteristic of me,” said Wright.  “That’s why I think this is (now) a thing of the past.”

Wright, who is the Raptors union rep, wouldn’t say whether or not he regretted his decision, simply saying that things have been handled internally and the team is just going to “finish strong”.

He has not been suspended … he is at the arena and is getting set to get dressed for the game.

Whether or not Wright has been fined by the Raptors is being kept internal as well.

For what it’s worth, a number of Wright’s teammates — especially Reggie Evans — were playfully yelling out some cat-calls at the reporters and offering words of support to Wright as we were chatting with him.

E. Smith

Saturday March 26 2011 – 1:06pm Pacific – Los Angeles, CA

Paul Jones and I had some technical issues with our camera in San Francisco yesterday … so … for the first time in 3 years … we weren’t able to bring you our usual VLOG from the road.

But the equipment has been fixed and we’re back – rollin’ – from LA!

And because of the fact that we let ya down yesterday … we went with the EXTEND-O-MIX on the VLOG today … with nearly 8 minutes of gold (including Jonesy’s loooong-waited Phil Jackson impression/impersonation)!

Check it out:

How can ya NOT love Jonesy doing the Phil Jackson!?

Thanks again to the folks at Entripy and Desi Wear.  If you’d still like to purchase a HOPE for Japan t-shirt, you can go to http://www.entripy.com/japan and order yours now.  We’ve been going for less than a week and thanks to so many of you … we have already raised about $2000!

The Raptors and Clippers are on Sportsnet Radio, the FAN 590 at 10:30pm tonight.  We’ll have the pre-game show at 10pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Saturday March 26 2011 – 1:01pm Pacific – Los Angeles, CA

HOPE for Japan

http://www.entripy.com/japan 

Thanks for all of your support!

E. Smith

Friday March 25 2011 – 10:05pm Pacific - Oakland, CA

Toronto falls to 20-52 on the season, losing to the Golden State Warriors, 114-106

THE START

Raptors - got 10 PTS on a perfect 5/5 FG from James Johnson;  shot 16/22 (72.7% FG) and scored 36 points but still trailed by 9 after 1 QRT
Warriors - set a Raptors franchise record for an opponent’s scoring total in the 1st QRT by knocking down 45 points on 81% FG!

AT THE HALF

Raptors - came 1 point shy of giving up 40+ in each of the first 2 QRTs;  DeMar DeRozan led the way in the 1st half for T.O. with 15 PTS
Warriors - set another record for a Raptors’ opponent … by scoring 84 points in the 1st half (the most of any half in Toronto history) 

AFTER 3

Raptors - fell down by as many as 45 points at one juncture;  shot just 4/18 from the floor as a team in the QRT;  trailed by 42 after 3 QRTs (116-74)
Warriors - shot 12/20 FG in the QRT & actually saw their FG% GO DOWN from 68.9% at the half to 66.2% after 3 QRTs;  Dorrell Wright scored 9 of his 24 PTS

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - fell down by as many as 47 points at one juncture;  Leandro Barbosa scored 12 of his 19 points in the final frame
Warriors - “lost” their only QRT of the game (26-22) after scored 44, 39, and 32 in the opening 3 QRTs;  finished the game shooting 61.4%

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Amir Johnson (sore left ankle) did not play

Reggie Evans (sore right foot) did not play

Joey Dorsey (flu) did not play

Jose Calderon hurt his left hamstring in the 1st half and did not start (or play at all) in the 2nd half

The last time the Warriors scored 84 or more points in any half was November 2 1991 vs Sacramento

This was the 7th straight win for Golden State over Toronto

Ed Davis registered his 8th double double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds

Davis’ 18 points were a career-high

Golden State had 4 players go for 20+ points … Monta Ellis (27), Dorrell Wright (26), Steph Curry (23), and David Lee (21)

———

Post-game interview with Warriors guard Steph Curry (23 PTS, 8 ASST) + some highlights from the game:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Stephen-Curry-es-20110326.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110326.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will now fly to Los Angeles and get set to face the Clippers on the back to back on Saturday night.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air tomorrow at 10pm Eastern — with the pre game show — and we’ll have the tip-off just after 10:30pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Friday March 25 2011 – 4:47pm Pacific – San Francisco, CA

Over the years … people have asked me to name my favorite stops on the NBA tour.  It’s very hard to nail-down a list though … cause there is a ton of criteria to factor-in.  Plus, believe it or not, we don’t see a ton of a lot of cities.  Traveling in the NBA is not a vacation.  Yes, there are a lot of worse things to do in life.  However, the schedule in the NBA usually consists of arriving in a city at about 6pm the night before a game … going out to dinner with colleagues … waking up and attending shoot-around … doing some work … having lunch … getting in a workout (maybe) … doing some more work … then hopping on a bus to the game around 430pm.  It’s rarely “glamorous”. 

But on the rare occasion that you DO get a chance to do some sight-seeing or shopping … or when you have a few hours to enjoy a fine meal or hit a few hot-spots and take-in a bit of the night-life … this would be MY list of the best cities to visit in the NBA.  Note:  I factored-in the hotels (good/bad) and intangibles like shopping and coffee shops and proximity to the arena (for commuting easily to and from the hotel to practices, and shoot-arounds, etc. (TIME is of the essence you know)).

Here’s how I’d rank ‘em … in THIS order:

New York / New Jersey – The Raptors stay in NYC even when they play the Nets.  So that normally means 4 trips to the Big Apple.  I can’t get enough of New York.
Chicago
Golden State (San Francisco)
Boston
Los Angeles (Clippers and Lakers) – The city is spread out too much.  But certain areas – like Venice Beach, Marina Del Ray, and Santa Monica are GREAT and you normally can’t beat the weather.
Toronto – We don’t know how good we have it!
Miami
Phoenix  
San Antonio– You might not want to “vacation” here … but 2 days and 1 night or 3 days and 2 nights would be the perfect amount of time to enjoy the “Riverwalk” and the many restaurants and patios that line it.
New Orleans – Bourbon Street.
Orlando
Portland – The air just feels cleaner.  If I can’t have Vancouver or Seattle, I’ll take Portland I suppose!
Dallas
Denver  
Washington – The traffic is a nightmare but the architecture is fabulous and the history is unmistakable.  
Atlanta
Detroit – The suburbs (well, the one the Raptors stay in) … not the downtown core!
Charlotte  
Oklahoma City– If it weren’t for “Bricktown” OKC would be a lot lower on my list.
Indianapolis (Indiana)  
Philadelphia  
Minnesota  
Houston 
Salt Lake City (Utah) – Waking up to the incredible views of the mountains is breathtaking.   
Milwaukee 
Memphis – The music makes the city. 
Sacramento 
Cleveland – I’ve had a great time in this city in the summer … with the zoo, the Indians, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  But in the winter … not so much.

Be sure to tune in tonight for the Raptors and Warriors on Sportsnet Radio, the FAN 590. 

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

Have a good one!

E. Smith

Wednesday March 23 2011 – 9:44pm Local Time - Phoenix, AZ

Toronto falls to 20-51 on the season, losing to the Phoenix Suns, 114-106

THE START

Raptors - Andrea Bargnani had 8 PTS to lead the way for Toronto;  TOR had only 2 turnovers in the frame and shot 55.6% (15/27 FG)
Suns - Vince Carter led all scorers with 11 PTS;  Phoenix gets out-rebounded 15-10 & beaten on the fast-break 9-0 … trailing 32-26 after 1 QRT

AT THE HALF

Raptors - Bargnani had 8  more in the QRT for a game-high 16 at the half;  TOR shooting 54.5% FG at the half;  14-4 edge for TOR on the fast-break in the half
Suns - Jared Dudley scored 10 PTS off the bench in the QRT;  PHX gives up 61 first half points to Toronto and trail by 6 at the half (61-55)

AFTER 3

Raptors - built up their biggest lead of the game at 13 but then saw PHX go on a 15-2 run to close out the QRT and tie the game at 86 after 3 QRTs
Suns - Aaron Brooks had 9 in the QRT and a team-high 20 after 3;  Steve Nash didn’t play in the 2nd Q but came back for 10+ min in the 3rd

THE FINAL FRAME

Raptors - Bargnani shot 1/5 in the frame but finished with a game-high 27 PTS;  TOR as a team was 9/23 FG in the QRT;  14/20 PTS in the 4th in the paint
Suns - trailed by 6 with 4:25 to go but closed the game on a 17-3 run to win the game by 8;  Nash had 7 of his 16 PTS in the QRT;  PHX 6/6 FT in the 4th

———-

ALSO OF NOTE

Grant Hill left the game after the 1st QRT with the flu

Mickael Pietrus left the game with a sprained knee

February 2004 was the last time the Raptors beat the Suns

Toronto has now lost 14 in a row vs Phoenix

Aaron Brooks had a season high 25 points (off the bench)

Jose Calderon had 13 assists (and 6 points) and 0 turnovers

Ed Davis bounced back from the funk he’s been in … with 7 PTS and 9 REB in 22:43

———

Post-game interview with Suns guard Vince Carter (13 PTS) + some highlights from the game:

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Vince-Carter-es-20110324.mp3]

[audio:http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand/Raptors-Game-Highlights-es-20110324.mp3]

———-

The Raptors will now fly to San Francisco and get set to face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.  Paul Jones and I will be on the air that evening at 10pm Eastern — with the pre game show — and we’ll have the tip-off just after 10:30pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith