Weekend Links

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Sep 13, 2009 1:00 PM EDT in Daily Links

Good news...
It's not quite as exciting as landing a big free agent, but Raptors fans attending games at the Air Canada Centre will enjoy the fruits of a $48-million expansion to the facility that includes the west side Atrium expansion, new amenities, state-of-the-art technology, a new broadcast studio and improvements to the in-arena fan experience. Check out the video here.

... bad news
On the other hand, we have a story flying under the radar (pardon the pun) that could have a significant negative impact on the upcoming Raptors season. Air Canada is currently suing the United States government over its insistence that the carrier cancel all of its season-long sports charter flights. A hearing in the case is currently scheduled for Monday.

Bad news part 2
In a league already plagued by bad officiating and suspect stat keeping, this is the last thing you need to read: NBA referees expect to be locked out when exhibition play starts October 1.

More links
Vince Carter tops Kelly Dwyer's list of the 10 best dunkers of the last decade, and shows he's still got it. Although this guy would give Vince a run for his money.

SLAM remixes the 1997 NBA Draft, leaving the Raptors with Ron Mercer instead of Tracy McGrady. Slight downgrade in talent.

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Comments

I never get tired of that clip of Dupay. But we need to highlight the Canadian kid on Team Flight Brothers some time for sure.

Ray Bala
CANadian BasketBALL Report

by rbala on Sep 13, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

A couple of points.
1. What is with the US and Canada fighting over every little scrap of money. I know the airline industry is suffering in general but this fight is simply retarded. Americans like to complain about foreign countries protectionist crap like banning international carriers from flying domestically between two cities and now they are resorting to it as well. I hope Air Canada wins (and I am not a fan of Air Canada).
2. The referees need to get their heads out of their asses. As long as the NBA isn’t trying to screw their retirement plan by making massive cuts there, they should accept the temporary cut (the NBA is even offering to reopen in 2 years which is extremely reasonable). They have no leverage and even though the officiating will suck for a few months (more than usual) most fans will think there is no difference(I can hear the jokes flying now).
3. I read the article on the redone draft from ‘97 and I think that given the options of what Toronto had available they would have done alright with Brevin Knight. He hasn’t exactly been the most durable player but didn’t he have 20 assists in a game at least once or twice? Certainly he is better than Ron Mercer.

by McGateway on Sep 14, 2009 6:56 AM EDT reply actions