Wednesday February 29 2012 – 1:08pm Central – New Orleans, Louisiana

DeMar DeRozan’s Tweet from last night (unhappy with his lack of playing time in the 4th QRT) — “Straight B.S.” is on-tap in today’s VLOG from the beautiful French Quarter in New Orleans!

We’re on the air at 730pm Eastern tonight with the pre game show and Jonesy and I will have the tip off of the Hornets and Raptors just after 8pm.

Be sure to head STRAIGHT home and listen.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Wednesday February 29 2012 – 12:56am Central – New Orleans, Louisiana

Slow 1st QRT.

Gradually come back over the course of the game.

Pick of the D.

Play with grit and edge.

Battle til the final minutes.

See the outcome go either way – good or bad – depending on a possession or two here or there.

Lather.

Rinse.

Repeat.

It’s how it has gone for the Raptors this season and Tuesday night in Houston was no different.

The Rockets beat Toronto 88-85 and Paul Jones and I broke it all down before leaving Texas and flying to New Orleans:

We’ll be back on the air later tonight ….. with the pre-game show at 7:30pm Eastern and the tip off of the Raptors and Hornets just after 8pm.

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

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Game Highlights – Raptors @ Rockets

Download

Luis Scola – post-game interview on Sportsnet 590 the FAN

Download

Tuesday February 28 2012 – 12:41pm Central – Houston, Texas

I said I was going to check-in at least 2-3 more times over the course of All Star weekend … but let’s be honest … the festivities in Orlando were a snooze-fest, right?

So I’m back at it today — after a few days of rest and relaxation … and re-charging the battery for the 2nd half of the NBA season.

33 games in 59 days await me (well, await the Raptors I GUESS) and what better way to kick it all off …

A rare ROUND TABLE on the world-famous ‘Smith and Jones’ VLOG with Sherman Hamilton and Matt Devlin!

Paul Jones and I will be on the air at 730pm with the pre game show and the tip off comes just after 8pm.

Thanks … Have a good one folks!

E. Smith

Thursday February 23 2012 – 7:50pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Raptors rolled into the All Star break with a win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night and at the halfway point of this 66-game season, Toronto sits at 10-23.

There will be plenty of time to break down Dwane Casey’s crew over the next few days – before they hit the floor again (after the All Star festivities in Orlando) on Tuesday night in Houston.  Thus, for now, let’s look at some of the NBA’s ‘trophy leaders’ at this mid-season mark.

Here are your front-runners for the 3 top awards in the Association:

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Eric Smith – KYRIE IRVING:  He’s still a teenager and yet he’s putting up more than 18 PPG and keeping his team in a ‘playoff hunt’ in spite of little help around him.

Paul Jones – KYRIE IRVING:  Has shouldered a huge load for a team that is over-achieving

MVP

Smith – LEBRON JAMES:  It’s a tight race between LBJ and Kevin Durant — almost a pick ‘em.  But James has faced more adversity and criticism and plowed through it all.

Jones – LEBRON JAMES:  Has the ability to adjust his game depending on what the team needs.  Now, can he do it in the Finals?

COACH OF THE YEAR

Smith – GREGG POPOVICH:  Tim Duncan is done.  Tony Parker is slowing.  Manu Ginobili has missed two-thirds of the season.  Oh, really?  San Antonio is 2nd in the West and Popovich is and has been the glue; using his depth and getting everyone to buy-in, period.

Jones – DOUG COLLINS:  Has led a team with no true ‘superstar’ to a respectable record in the East.  They’re holding a home-court seed at the All Star break.

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If YOU were handing out the hardware, which way would you lean?

(I fully expect to hear plenty of Ricky Rubio comments and votes)

Have a good one folks.  I’ll be touching base in this space a few times over the weekend.  But I will NOT be in Orlando for the festivities.

E. Smith

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* ALL STAR NOTE:  For those that haven’t heard, this is the first time in franchise history that the Raptors have not had a single representative at the All Star game/weekend (rookie-sophomore game, 3PT shoot-out, dunk contest, etc).

Wednesday February 22 2012 – 11:42pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Aaron Gray notched his first double-double of the season and DeMar DeRozan led the way in scoring for T.O. as the Raptors knocked off the Pistons 103-93 and headed into the All Star break at 10-23.

Paul Jones and I break it all down in our latest recap:

Toronto will return to action on Tuesday night in Houston (playing on Wednesday – on the back to back – in New Orleans).

….. And don’t forget ….. Jonesy and I will be on the air on Thursday night with the HOOPS show from 7pm-8pm.

Have a good one folks!

E. Smith

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Download – full post-game show:  THE RAP (Wed. Feb. 22)

Download – Raptors/Pistons highlights (Wed. Feb. 22)

Wednesday February 22 2012 – 4:08pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

There is NO denying that the Raptors’ last game – a home loss to Charlotte – SHOULD have been a win.  When you’re on your home floor and you’ve been playing well against higher-end, playoff teams like Boston (whom they beat), LA, New York, and San Antonio…you have to jump on a Bobcats team that had lost 16 in a row before coming to Toronto.  That was a bad loss for Dwane Casey and company.  But at the end of the day, the Raptors last 7 losses (they’ve won only once in 8 games) have come by a combined total of only 34 points.  That’s less than 5 points per game.  Yes, a loss is a loss, and some could argue that there are no ‘moral victories’ when you’re losing, but those in ‘Tank Nation’ (which I’m NOT a part of) might disagree with you – they’d say it’s games like these that are perfect for Toronto…compete and entertain, but don’t win.

Feb 17 vs Charlotte (-7)
Feb 15 vs San Antonio (-7)
Feb 14 vs New York (-3)
Feb 12 vs LA Lakers (-2)
Feb 8 vs Milwaukee (-6)
Feb 6 @ Washington (-3 in OT)
Feb 5 @ Miami (-6)

One of the biggest reasons why Toronto has been able to hang tight in a lot of these games is the offensive production from veteran point guard, Jose Calderon.  Normally more reserved offensively, Calderon has picked up his scoring while not seeing a major drop-off in his assist totals as well.  He’s still playing the role of the ultimate (sure-handed / low-turnover) distributor…while consistently knocking down open jumpers when coming off screens, etc.

Over the last 5 games, the ‘Ocho Special’ (a term we’ve dubbed on the FAN radio broadcasts for years) is putting up some lofty totals:

PPG – 20.4
ASST – 9.6
T/O – 1.6
FG% – 60.3
3PT FG% – 58.8

Calderon’s solid play has led many to think that Bryan Colangelo could be entertaining offers for his Spanish guard.  And teams MAY be calling.  But while I see that ‘sell high’ mentality, I don’t know if Calderon is going anywhere.  The question has to be asked:  What would you do without Jose and who is the future point guard of this team?

Jerryd Bayless’ contract was NOT extended by the Raptors prior to the deadline earlier this season.  Thus, Bayless will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year.  Toronto will still hold his rights but there are questions about whether the Arizona product is in the Raps’ long-term plans.  He’s a good combo guard with decent defensive skills and an edgy competitive nature as well.  He’s simply a ‘good guy’ as well.  But whether or not Bayless is an every-day starting point guard remains very-much ‘undecided’ right now.

Anthony Carter, simply, is a veteran guard on a 1-year deal.  He’s not part of the future (may not even be a part of ‘next year’).

In 2012-13, Calderon will be entering into the final year of his contract.  If Colangelo was to deal him NOW…there’s no denying that Toronto would be shedding $10 million from the payroll for next year (and what’s left of this year as well) but who would run the point?

Short-term, I suppose you’d ‘get by’ with Bayless and Carter (and even find spot-duty for Leandro Barbosa and Gary Forbes) but what would the long-term answer be?  Ask yourself THAT question while factoring into the equation the idea that no college point guard is currently ranked or projected in the Top 10 (maybe even Top 15) for the 2012 NBA Draft in June.

Yes, the Raptors will have a whack of cash to spend on Free Agents this summer (and/or next summer)…but convincing a TOP point guard to come to Toronto after (likely) 4 straight seasons on the outside of the post-season will not be easy.  Colangelo and his management team will have a lot of work to do IF Calderon has already been moved and there is a vacancy at the point that must be filled ASAP.

Keep in mind…most of the ‘notable’ free agent PG’s this summer include a TON of veterans like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Andrea Miller and Kirk Hinrich.  Unrestricted options like Deron Williams do exist, but how realistic is it to think he’ll land with the Raptors?  And would Toronto be happy with other UFA’s like Raymond Felton or Jonny Flynn?

Keeping Calderon, for now, may be the best option while the Raps try to sift through the trade market over the next 12-18 months.

Time will tell!

Paul Jones and I are on the air at 7pm tonight with the Raptors and Pistons…and we’ll have full post-game coverage (on ‘The Rap’) until 11pm.

Have a good one.

E. Smith

Friday February 17 2012 – 11:49pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

You saw it coming.

Try to say you didn’t!

That’s not an excuse — Toronto should have protected the home floor against a 3-26 team, NO doubt — but it’s a fact.  You know a letdown was coming at SOME point after strong games (in spite of the W or L) against Boston, LA, New York, and San Antonio.

The Raptors fell to 0-9 when trailing at the half at home this year…losing to the Bobcats, 98-91.  Paul Jones and I break it down:

http://youtu.be/s0hpPKGCktY

Game Highlights:

Download

D.J. Augustin:

Download

The Rap:

Download

We’ll both now enjoy some time with family and friends (and sprinkle-in some work too, no doubt!) before getting back on the air NEXT WEDNESDAY when the Raptors host the Pistons.

Have a good one folks.

E. Smith

Friday February 17 2012 – 12:01pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

On the post-game show on Wednesday evening (on Sportsnet 590), Paul Jones and I were chatting about the current home-stand for the Raptors and how T.O. has managed to win only 1 game (out of 5) thus far.  But the total combined number for their margin of defeat is only 18 points.

TV stat man, John Rusin, took it even further …

If the final two road games before this 7-game stop at the ACC were included — in Miami and Washington — the number would sit at 27 (total).  That equates to the Raptors losing their last 6 games by an average of exactly 4.5 points.

vs San Antonio:  -7
vs New York:  -3
vs LA Lakers:  -2
vs Milwaukee:  -6
@ Washington:  -3 (OT)
@ Miami:  -6

Toronto will hope to “get off the schnide” tonight against the Bobcats.  Charlotte has lost an incredible 16 games in a row…sitting at just 3-26 overall this season.

It wasn’t long ago that many believed the Cats – with a move here and there – could solidify themselves as, at the very least, a consistent 6th-to-8th-seed-contender in the Eastern Conference.  But moves (see:  Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, and more), money, and injuries have buried the Bobcats and a top pick in the 2012 Draft is the only thing in Charlotte’s path now.

As bad as their THREE victories are, the Bobcats have only 1 win on the road this season (1-15).  With, basically, half of their road sked already in the books, the math is simple:  They’re on pace for 2 wins away from home this season.  And if that goes down, Kemba Walker and Company will go down in history:

Worst Road Records – All Time

Baltimore, 1953-54:  0-20
Sacramento, 1990-91:  1-40
Washington, 2010-11:  1-30
Philadelphia, 1952-53:  1-28

Finally, speaking of Walker, there were many people who believed the Raptors would reach out and select the UCONN guard during last June’s Draft (before they ultimately decided on Jonas Valanciunas at #5).  In fact, some felt Toronto had their eyes on another player that ended up landing with the Bobcats as well, Bismack Biyombo.

But none of that happened…and Charlotte was happy to have the depth in the back and front courts with those two additions.  And Walker is having a solid season in his rookie campaign, in spite of his TEAM’S struggles:

Rookie Points                13.1      3RD
Rookie Assists               3.6       3RD
Rookie Rebounds            4.0       13TH
Rookie Minutes               29.3     5TH

Paul Jones and I will have the call of the game tonight beginning at 7pm … and we’ll stay on the air ’til 11pm with full post-game coverage on “The Rap”.

Have a good one!

E. Smith

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Don’t forget…tonight is FAN NIGHT at the ACC.  There will be discounts on merchandise, give-aways, and much more … including a special halftime performance from Grammy Award Winners (from the 90′s):  NAUGHTY BY NATURE

http://youtu.be/GaXb1G93KDo

Wednesday February 15 2012 – 11:52pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

As they did against the Lakers and Knicks … the Raptors battled the Spurs and refused to give-in to the #2 seed in the Western Conference.  But at the end of the night, San Antonio led from opening tip to final buzzer and handed Toronto its 3rd straight loss.

Paul Jones and I break it all down in our latest video recap:

For more on the game, click on the audio links below…

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Game highlights:

Download – Spurs at Raptors

“The Rap” (SN590 Raptors post-game show) with special appearances by former Raptor, Jerome Williams and “The Coach” Jack Armstrong.

Download

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For more coverage of the Raptors and the NBA, be sure to tune in to “HOOPS” at 7pm on Thursday night.

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Wednesday February 15 2012 – 3:17pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Remember how Tim Duncan was supposed to be on the decline; only seeing his numbers drop with every month and year that went by and got tacked onto his age?

Well, after starting the season slowly for the Spurs, Duncan has dipped his toe in the Fountain of Youth at the best possible time…..helping San Antonio reel-off 8-straight wins while putting up numbers THIS MONTH that exceed and/or come close to his career averages (including, currently, 5 straight double-doubles):

DUNCAN IN 2011-2012:

Points         Rebounds

December        9.0             6.0
January           13.8           7.8
February         17.6            11.7

(His career average is 20.4 PPG and 11.3 REB).

The veteran big man has proven to be quite durable over the years as well.  Prior to this season, Duncan played in 75 or more games in 10 of his 14 seasons (and all 50 during the shortened season in 1998-1999).  The 3 remaining campaigns in question?  74…69…and 66 games played respectively.  This season he has appeared in 28 of 29 games and the Spurs sit atop the Southwest Division (#2 overall in the Western Conference) with a 20-9 record.

Duncan has 18 blocks and 10 steals during this 8-game winning streak, and perhaps it’s San Antonio’s new attention to DEFENCE that has turned things around for Gregg Popovich:

SAN ANTONIO 2011-12:

1ST 21 games                        Last 8 games

Record                  12-9                      8-0
Opp PPG                95.6                      87.4
Opp FG%              45.9                       42.3
Rebounds              41.2                       43.5
Blocks                   4.19                      5.25

Paul Jones and I will be on the air at 7pm tonight with all of the action.  We’ll have full post-game coverage as well (“The Rap”) ’til 11pm.

Have a good one

E. Smith