Dino Nation Blog

Can You Be In The Dog House Before Training Camp Starts?

If you are a reader of Doug Smith’s Blog you are aware of the fact Jamario Moon has not made it to town yet for the unofficial training camp. The excuse being offered is some passport issues Moon is having. But whatever the reason it would appear people with in the organization are not thrilled about it. This also is not going to help Moon’s cause as far as remaining in the starting line-up. Which most have already given to Jason Kapono as his to lose. I don’t know if it is all that bad. I don’t see this as an issue personally call me if Moon is not in Ottawa on the 30th.

Papers Please, Jermaine O’Neal??? You Play Basketball???

Who knows if this story is true or not, so take it for what is is worth. But a poster on Real Gm says that he has a friend that works at our border. This friend came in contact with the Newest Raptor Jermaine O’Neal. Seems O’Neal was bringing his cars/vechiles into Canada.( By the way a helpful hint for J.O that is 100 KM/HR on the Highway. ) It seems O’Neal did not have the proper papers for his vechiles and was told he and his automobiles were not welcomed to Canada with out them. He was told to turn back and get his papers. Not suprisingly J.O was displeased. I have no reason to think this story is true or not. The Interent is full of misinformation and lies. It could be true but what I took away from this story fact or fiction is this…if this was a guy the Leafs had acquired in a trade, he and his flatbed with his vechiles would likely have got a police escort all the way to Toronto. I think we have bigger issues at the border than worrying about people bringing their blingy cars and trucks into the country.

Can We Get Started Already?

I think after these last 2 stories it is clear that we all need to have some basketball to talk about please. But till that time comes we turn to the world of Uniform Fashion. Today the Raptors will announce what most fans have already found out. The Toronto Raptors will have 3rd jerseys that will be black. To model these new items we will have that famous fashion model from Spain Jose. Also a young up and comer in the fashion world from Texas who goes simply by CB4.

I am never excited about this kind of thing. If anyone can explain to me how this is nothing but a cash grap on the part of a pro sports franchise I would like to hear that explanation. I see no other reason for it. I mean be it the Italy Flag Raptor stuff, Spain ones as well or those God awful green things. They all add up to green as in cash for MLSE.

Update- 5:40 PM: This Is The New Look

I admit it they hooked me I like this. I have been sucked in. But still these are nice I have to admit that. Still all about the money but at least it looks cool. You can see the Press Event that featured some interviews with Jose and Chris as well as Bryan Colangelo on Raps TV at 9pm.

Do The Raptors Need A Starbury?

Stephon Marbury is expected to be bought out and as such on the market after a far from successful run in New York. He does have ties to the Raptors through Colangelo from his time with the Suns. Also if memory serves me well, played with Sam Mitchell with the T-Wolves. I doubt this will happen with him coming to Toronto. However if you think the idea of Canada would be an issue on the part of Marbury, that may not be true, as he had suggested he would consider finishing his career in Europe. So coming to Canada would not seem that much of a stretch for him. If the Raptors have any interest on the other hand I would think is doubtful. If they did not believe in Roko Ukic they would have made a move long before now. He also has a reputation of not exactly doing good things for your locker room. So I don’t think there is a Starbury in the Raptors future. But some NBA team will pay the veteran mininum to have him. Miami is a team being mentioned the most which just seems odd. Micheal Beasley is already paying his first fine from the NBA of 50,000 bucks. Why? seems there was more green being used at the NBA Rookie meetings. Having a guy like Marbury would not exactly make the best mentor for him now would he? But having said all this, Marbury has to be buyout by the Knicks and that isn’t going so well, as Marbury wants his $$$ and is not willing to take a discount to play. Detail in Link Below:

Marbury Is Playing Hard Ball With Knicks

AI is ON THE MARKET?

We are not talking about practice. We are talking trades so I guess that is o.k? Iverson in an interview in a Denver paper said he would not rule out a trade and gave the standard athlete line, which I heard from T.J Ford earlier this summer. The thing about being traded is it is proof another team wants you. That is out of the Athlete standard lines book, when you are about to be traded or rumoured to be traded say this. To read more on this item the link is below:

Iverson On Way Out In Denver?

Wizards Are In Full Spin Mode

I am thinking that the Dino Blogger must not be alone in wondering why the heck the Wizards invested 111 million dollars in Gilbert Arenas. The Washington Wizards were trying to put a positive spin on the latest news of yet another Arenas operation that could see the star out till January according to some. Sports teams do damage control just like people in politics. So with that I give you this story that has the Wizards Spin Doctors front and center:

No Agent 0 No Problem?

Fantasy Corner-Dino Nation Blog Yahoo League

I have opened up are yahoo head to head league. It will have a live draft on Sunday October 12th @ 7pm. It is going to have 20 teams and last I checked we already have 8 from the advance invites I sent out. So I would not wait on signing up. When this league fiils I will open another league if response demands it. Below is the info you need to know:

Yahoo Fantasy Basketball

Sign up and choose created league

Enter League ID: 1255

Password: dinos

UPDATE: Sept 26

Our First Yahoo League is Full. The Second League is Open Info Below:

League id for league 2: 18772

Draft Date and Time: Oct 19th 6:45 PM EST

Password:dinos

We also still have our Stock Market League on NBA.Com. There is no max to how many can sign up for that. The Stock Market Opens October 24th 2008. But you can select your roster as soon as you have signed up. League ID: 105921 and Passwords: dinos .

There will be one more League we will be running that will be a keeper league and will be based on NBA. Com as well. When it opens up I will let you know.