Canadian Content
by rbala on Sep 2, 2010 8:30 AM EDT
in Can Ball
0 comments
This morning we have the aftermath of the Senior Men losing to New Zealand, a great video on Tristan Thompson from the Score, MAC signs a former Terrier, more players suiting up for Simon Fraser and a lot more in this edition of Canadian Content ...
Raptors Announce 2010-11 Broadcast Schedule aka the TSN II Fiasco All Over Again
You know that classic quote, "those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat their mistakes in the future?"
Well it's pretty appropriate at this moment as the Toronto Raptors broadcast schedule was released about a half hour ago.
All 82 games will be broadcast in High Def and televised nationally, with TSN and TSN2 televising 47 Raptors contests across Canada, including the conference finals and select playoff games, NBA All-Star Weekend coverage, including the 60th annual All-Star Game on February 20 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and exclusive Canadian coverage of the NBA Finals.
Rogers Sportsnet and its new national sports channel Sportsnet One will be the home for 35 Raptors regular season games. It will also air at least 35 regular season contests and have the broadcast rights to 22 NBA playoff games, as well as Toronto's match-ups in England against the New Jersey Nets.
Aka, here we go again.
Just like the TSN II mess, now Raptors' fans who don't have access to this station will be up a creek without a paddle. There's probably sound economics behind their decision, but at face value, I can't for the life of me understand why the team wants to make it harder for fans to watch this team.
Especially considering what could be a rough season, and the television ratings for the club as is.
In any event, more to come on this for sure, but definitely frustrating for those without the channel who were looking forward to a full 82 game HD spread.
On a final note, back calling the action this year for the Raps will be Matt Devlin, who again will be joined by cronies Leo Rautins (on Sportsnet and Sportsnet One channels) and Jack Armstrong (TSN and TSN2.)
I'd say this wasn't a good thing, but after watching Canada's performance at the World's I'd argue it's better than having Leo coach.
Why Didn't the Raptors Play More Zone Last Season?
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Sep 1, 2010 12:30 PM EDT
15 comments
A heavy dose of International basketball of late has Franchise thinking about zone defensive schemes, and why Toronto didn't use them more last season...
0 - 3? What Up Wit Dat?!?!
by rbala on Sep 1, 2010 8:30 AM EDT
in Can Ball
19 comments
What is up with this 0-3 record for Team Canada in Turkey? We here at The Can Ball Report were confounded by the record as anyone so we posed this simple question to our Twitter peeps and we got a few answers. We take the three most common ones and take a look at them ...
Canadian Content
by rbala on Aug 31, 2010 7:35 PM EDT
in Can Ball
2 comments
Today we have a lot of commentary on the tough loss to France by the Senior Men right here, a look at the Kiwis the team will be facing in the morning (our time), the Senior Women's begin their training camp, Kyle Wiltjer and Myck Kabongo and a lot more in this edition of Canadian Content ...
Has the Raptors' Defence Improved This Off-Season?
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Aug 30, 2010 2:00 PM EDT
40 comments
The HQ wonders if despite the doom and gloom being thrown around this team, the Toronto Raptors have actually taken some baby steps forward this off-season at one end of the court...
Canada Basketball
by rbala on Aug 30, 2010 8:30 AM EDT
in Can Ball
1 comment
In today we have lots of news from the Senior Men at the World Championships, Kyle Wiltjer will be at Kentucky next fall, Jay Triano as a USA Basketball coach, Ali Mahmoud playing for Lebanon and a whole lot more in this edition of Canadian Content ...
Sunday Thought - Early Take on Linas Kleiza
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT
16 comments
Thanks to the International action going on right now, basketball is alive and well in the off-season.
This morning Team Canada took on Lithuania and while the result was a tough loss for the Canadians, it gave many Raptors' fans a chance to take a look at one of the team's off-season acquisitions, Linas Kleiza.
Kleiza was without a doubt Lithuania's best player on the court today, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds, scoring from all over the court, and showing the rugged intensity that should make him a solid addition to the Raps next year. He played a 3-4 role for the Lithuanians, posting up on numerous occasions, and showing a nice face-up and back-to-the-basket game. Really, the Canadians had no answer for Kleiza defensively.
However you could see some of the criticisms of Kleiza's game on display today as well.
At times he was too selfish offensively, a bit of a black hole in fact, and settled for long-range shots when other options might have been better. He was a bit streaky too, shooting only 6 of 15 from the floor, and while he can be a solid passer, at times today he tried to do too much, the case on both of his turnovers.
That being said, having seen him now through two games, I'm warming up to the idea of him with the Raptors. He dropped 27 and 8 on New Zealand on Saturday, hitting 11 of his 15 shots, and while he's not playing consistent NBA talent, defensively he's looked pretty solid. He might not have the quickest feet side-to-side, but he's done a nice job establishing position and reading cutters, little things like that that could make a big difference for Toronto this coming season.
Best of all though is what Jack Armstrong described as "the attitude he plays with."
You can see it on the court, Kleiza just seems a bit smug as in "I'm going to dominate you and there's nothing you can do about it."
Frankly, with all the doom and gloom prognostications about the Dinos this year already, a little of that swagger could go a long way.
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