Greetings Everyone!

   After many months of blogging and commenting here on FoxSports, it has become evident to me that perhaps the most polarizing NBA player in the league is Kobe Bryant.  People either love him, or hate him, with very little in-between.  I am one of those few "in-betweeners."

   While Kobe is not my favourite player, I am not so blind as to not recognize that he is a phenomenal basketball player.  He is the best in the world, in my opinion, but that doesn't mean he has to be my favourite.  That's all I have to say in that regard.

   Now, on to the experiment:

   Basically, I want to see if I can get a lot of traffic to this blog by simply including Kobe's name in my title.  Being the unabashed shameless self-promoting opportunist that I am, I like some attention, so this is part of my attempt to gather more (attention... for myself).

   That's it...  That's all the experiment is...

   It was fully my intention to waste 2 minutes of your time...  It's all part of the "Sinister Master Plan B"... "Sinister Master Plan A" was a complete failure, so don't ask...  Don't ask about "B" either...  I haven't quite finished it yet.

   Looking forward to the results.

   Cheers!

   The other day, I was playing baseball.  It had been a while for me since I had last played the game competitively.  Almost 12 to 13 years...  not since my old school days...

   I was kind of worried about how I would be able to play after so much time away.  I had pulled my dusty old baseball glove that I hadn't used since those years, grabbed a ball and first, tried to regain the feel o####love on my hand, and a ball landing in it.  Would it be like when I was first trying to learn how to catch?  I remember the exhiliration I felt when finally, for the first time, when that ball was coming to me, I put my glove out and I felt the object land there.  I squeezed my hand to close the glove, and lo and behold, the ball was there.  It hadn't fallen out, it didn't bounce off the top or edges of my glove, it had landed cleanly in the mesh, and I made it stay there by perfectly timing the catch.

   I put the glove on, and the feel came back instantly, like it had never been lost.  I thought to myself, "I can do this!"  And I went to that game ready to rip my opposition apart.  12 to 13 years was nothing.  50 or 60 years would have been nothing.  I was back!

   The game was hardly a defensive gem, I must admit.  The final score 14-12 in favor of my opposition.  I was disappointed with the loss, but not with my play.  I was stationed in the infield, and made some spectacular plays.  A sweet off-balance throw to beat the runner to first base.  Twice tagging out the runner going home, thus preventing two runs from crossing the plate.  Setting up double plays.  And the biggest play of all, I came to bat in the top half of the final inning, my team down 10-9, and two runners on base.  I held off from swinging at two deceptive pitches, and fouled one off.  But I knew... I just knew that my pitch was coming.  I stared down the pitcher, and the ball was released.  And that was it.  I swung with all my might, crushing that ball into outer-space.  A three run homerun, and we were up 12-10 going into the bottom half of the final inning.  But unfortunately, the opposition rallied back with a big homerun of their own, and the game was over...  It was as well-played as expected in such a high scroing game, but was a great game for me.  The way I played earned me team MVP honors.

   Driving home from that game, I started thinking to myself, "What if I had tried to pursue baseball professionally?"  My name could be added to the short list of great Canadian players in the Majors...  Larry Walker, Justin Morneau, Jason Bay, Rich Harden, Paul Quantrill, Matt Stairs... goTO (I'm not quite ready to use my real name yet... lol).  I was pretty good when I played regularly.  I had a good bat, and could play any position asked of me...  Maybe I could have been a Major League baseball player.  You know what?  I would have been a Major League baseball player, possibly the greatest to ever play the game.  You know, I could probably walk into any MLB teams head office and say,"Give me a contract," and I would be playing the very next day!

   Then...

   The next day came and reality sunk in.  I could barely walk.  I had used muscles that I hadn't used in 12 to 13 years, and I felt it.  Four years of working a desk job seems to have advanced the effects of gravity on my body, thus making it a little less simple for me to just jump in and do anything.  My pain also forced me to look realisitically at the circumstances of the game:

• The game was organized by the company I work for as a team building/morale boosting exercise for employees and their families/spouses/etc.
• We were playing slow-pitch softball, with a softer-than-a-typical-softball softball
• The age range of the players in the game was about 10 to 60 years old
• The players were both male and female; like I said, some were employees, and others were the children of employees
• Not very many of the players were really athletically gifted
• I was pitching 6 out of 7 innings and was the pitcher of record for around 12 of the runs scored against us; hence my saying that "I played in the infield..."
• some of the people I was playing against were my boss(es) (I know... prime time to orchestrate an "accident...")
• I had one good hit, the other times I went to bat resulted in embarrassingly weak pop-outs
• The game was followed up with beer, wings, and nachos at a local restaurant

   I had a decent outing considering the circumstances, the competition and everything else.  But now I realize I am not quite ready to go to bat against Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay's pitching, run the bases against Carl Crawford or Alfonso Soriano, snare a hot-shot at third base off the bat of Albert Pujols or Josh Hamilton, or strike-out Derek Jeter or Kevin Youkilis.  I would probably just end up leaving the field crying after being totally schooled by these real baseball players.

   So for now, I will just be happy to play recreationally.  I'll play in more company softball games, hopefully we can have games against some of our other offices (show that our office has the best team).  If they want to go bowling, or play basketball, or soccer, I'm in.  It's great to play the games and keep them a part of my life, but I'm not about to turn pro anytime soon.  I know we all want to keep everything dear to us nice and close, and that includes our favourite sports.

   Here's hoping championship blogging one day becomes a professional sport.

   Cheers!

   I've been quiet for a little while, but now I'm back with vengeance... or maybe just a mild case of hiccups...  either way, I'm writing again.

   It's no secret that Canada is very much devoted to its hockey, and that Toronto is the hockey capital of the world (although some fans in Montreal would happily argue that they deserve that title... but Montreal smells, so it's disqualified).  It's all well and good, I like hockey, was happy when the Canadian Olympic team finally won a gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002, I support our world junior team (they've won the last 4 tournaments) and pretty soon will be looking forward to the annual let-down by the Toronto Maple Leafs.  For 40 years Leafs fans have been clinging to the hope that maybe this year is THE year...  And this upcoming season will be the same.   Nothing wrong with a little tradition, eh?

   However, there is a team that seems to be forgotten in Toronto, and if they are remembered, people ask "Oh, do they still play?"  They are the Toronto Raptors.  Canada's team.  The team in Toronto with the best future.  The most exciting team to watch in Toronto.  The team that plays for its fans, and is loved by its fans.

   And yet, with as bright a future that they have, they get no respect from Toronto's so-called "sports" media.  Let's be realistic and call it what it is, Toronto's Hockey Media, with a few other sports mixed in as filler material.  The top sports story in Toronto for the last couple months has been whether Mats Sundin will return to play another season with the Leafs, sign with another team, or retire.  This just in, he hasn't decided yet...  let's talk to this expert and see what he thinks... he tells us "Mats could either retire, re-sign with the Leafs, or sign with another team..."  It's been like this for months.  "In other news, the Raptors traded TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic for Jermaine O'Neal, but now back to the Mats Sundin story..."  "Chris Bosh won gold with the US team... now, more important, has Mats Sundin made a decision yet?"  And so on...  I get more info about the Raptors here on Foxsports than I do from my local sports news TV and radio .

   There was a recent story about about the top (U.S.) cities that have let down their fans and one of these sports talk radio hosts wondered where Toronto would rank among them and basically asked "does anyone care about the Raptors?"  As a Raptors fan, I was quite ticked off.  I think most of us at least know that the raptors have been making a bit of noise in the NBA lately.  Let's see where Toronto's other, more "important" teams rank:

• NHL:  I've already talked about the Maple Leafs...  I'll be long gone by the time the Leafs win their next Stanley Cup, and I'm only 27...
• MLB:  The Blue Jays are in Year 8 or 9 of GM J.P. Ricciardi's "5-Year Plan..."  We'll never know what the players think because they are not allowed to talk to the media...
• CFL (Canadian Football League):  The Argonauts are struggling to make .500 with the leagues' MVP at quarterback, and are 0-2 against the team that is currently 2-6...  let's see if they can make it 0-3 on Monday...
• MLS:  The Toronto FC has finally scored a few goals...

   To lump the Raptors in with this group, and claim Raptors fans are being let down by the team is ridiculous.  A Raptors game is one of the most exciting atmospheres I've ever seen.  To hear the crowds reaction after Chris Bosh or Jamario Moon put down a huge alley-oop pass from Jose Calderon, or a big 3-pointer by Jason Kapono or Anthony Parker is exhilirating.  The fans show their support, wearing Raptors jerseys, dressing in red and white, and being as loud as possible.  They have good attendance records, but chances are, most of the Raptors fans in the city are at the game.

   Now let's look at Leafs fans.  I've never seen such well-dressed people, with all their neatly pressed suit and sharp ties, and nice haircuts.  Sittling with their legs crossed, and hands folded genlty in their laps;  if things were to get more exciting, a funeral might break out.  I recall watching many games on TV, when the cameras would go to a close-up of the Leafs coach yelling at his players, and there, about two or three rows back in the crowd, was always the same nicely dressed blonde business-woman in her grey suit... pant-skirt-suit-thingy... whatever it's called... with the vacant stare, clapping politely when a goal was scored... never smiling, never reacting to anything, but never failing to miss a game...  A symbol of everything that is wrong within the Leafs organization, and contrasting everything that is right in the Raptors organization.  The Leafs are a corporation, the Raptors are a team.

   It's annoying when people in your own city don't take the team seriously.  Here's hoping they will prove all the doubters wrong, and turn them into believers. 

   The Raptors are taking big steps in the NBA.  After years of mediocrity, and false superstars, there is finally hope.  Basketball fans know the Raptors are legit, just some small tweaks here and there and they are threats to win the NBA championship.  Heck, we may just be able to pull it off this season, and I will be more than happy to rub it in the faces of my American friends here in the blogging community... lol.  But seriously, an NBA championship will mean more to me as a fan of the Raptors than a championship in any other sport.  We're the small guys in town, and have the most to prove, and have the most to lose.  Fingers crossed.

   Cheers!

Hey All,

I heard this story driving in to work one day, a couple months ago, but is still fresh on my mind.  I was listening to my favourite morning radio show (I will advertise for them... the Dean Blundell Show on 102.1, the Edge in Toronto - www.edge.ca if you're curious) and one of their guests was Wade Belak of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Wade is generally a guy who will happily speak his mind about anything, and was very popular in Toronto for that.

He was telling a story about a former Raptors' star, Vince Carter, and a Leafs' Megastar.  It seemed that one of the most popular goaltenders in Leafs history, Curtis Joseph (known affectionately as "CuJo"), was running late to a practice at the Air Canada Centre where the Leafs and Raptors play.  Being late, the players and personnel parking lot was full... except for two spots, so CuJo parked in one of the spots and got to practice.

During that practice, a note was sent to CuJo.... from Vince Carter's MOM.  It stated that if CuJo did not move his vehicle, she would have it TOWED...  It seems that BOTH those free parking spots were reserved for Vince's mom.  Vince Carter's.... MOM!!!!!  I'm sure the Raptors and ownership groups wanted to show some respect for Vince, but giving TWO spots to his MOM?  How bad a driver is she that she needs two spots?  And how full of herself is she that she would threaten to have Curtis Joseph's car towed (perhaps the favourite athlete in Toronto at the time).

I don't know if CuJo moved his car or not, but he is a nice (and smart) guy and I wouldn't put it beyond him to just move the car and avoid having to deal further with the woman (Lord know's she threatened to have his car towed, she probably wouldn't stop at that...).

Just one of the reasons why Vince Carter's exit from Toronto was inevitable.  I wonder if she has two spots in New Jersey?

I hope you enjoyed this little story.

I hope the reports are wrong...

Reports are coming out that the Toronto Raptors have made an agreement with Indiana that would send TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in this years draft, and a player to be named later (in order to match salary) to the Pacers in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal...

.......

..........

...........................

If any of you had read my last post, you would be aware that I hate this idea.  The guy has only played more than 70 games in 5 out of 12 seasons (granted, one of those 12 seasons was shortened, but he still missed about a dozen or so games thatparticular season) and is there any reason to expect that he will be able to play more than half a season in '08-'09?  He's a $22 million liability.

TJ Ford had to go, there's no question about that.  He's too good to keep on the bench, and the writing on the wall indicated that Jose Calderon was the PG of choice in Toronto.  TJ's had his injuries, and there's no reason to expect that he will be able to remain healthy for all 82 games, but he only accounts for $8 million on the payroll.

Rasho is a good, reliable, and healthy center.  He's a smart player who can start for you, or come off the bench and not allow it to affect his game.  I would fully expect Rasho to be able to play the  full season, and he would account for about $8.5 million on the payroll.

TJ and Rasho make about $16.5 million, which leaves another $5 to $6 million dollars to make up.  How much value will be placed on the 17th pick of the draft this year?  If I were to guess maybe $1 million, that would still leave about $4 - $5 million, which would possibly mean the player to be named later could be the likes of Kris Humphries, Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani, or Jason Kapono...  All those guys are capable of being huge contributors to the team... a huge loss if they are included in the deal...

If the reports are true, and if Jermaine O'Neal passes his physical, the one thing I would recommend is that he had better take care of himself and really contribute to the team. I want the Raptors to be successful, but it's so hard with O'Neal's sketchy history.

If the Raptors should end up with a result anything less than a .500 season, they will likely lose a lot of fan support, which would make it very difficult for the team to survive in Toronto.  The city throws more support behind the Toronto Maple Leafs than the rest of the major sports combined (the Raptors could win the NBA championship, but the headlines in the Toronto media will be about the latest surgery on one of the Leafs...).  Now, over the next five years, the Buffalo Bills (NFL... I''m sure you know that, but I'll say it anyway) will be playing games in Toronto which will likely draw a lot of attention away from the Raptors.  Our MLS team (soccer), the Toronto FC, which has only been around for a season and a half has ridiculous support already.  The CFL (Canadian Football League) team, the Toronto Argonauts will probably have a lot of support as well based on their big moves in the offseason, and are expected to be championship contenders (that's more of an FYI for y'all, but hopefully you see my point).

I am also hard-pressed to believe the ownership group will be happy to be paying their basketball players more than their hockey players... the same group owns the Raptors and the Leafs (and Toronto FC).

I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything will magically work out... but am just too skeptical to believe it...

Driving home from work today, I was listening to the radio.  I usually have it tuned to my favorite sports broadcast.  Let it be known that this particular show is a hockey news (Toronto lives and dies with the Maple Leafs) show first and foremost, then followed up with little snip-its of other sports interspersed throughout.

One of those snip-its caught my attention, which was a rumor involving talks between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers.  Basically, here's the scenario as I know it:

Toronto sends TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in this years draft, and likely another player (to match salary) to Indiana for Jermaine O'neal...  Maybe some of you out there who are more familiar with Jermaine O'neal can offer their opinions to me why that would be a good deal, but I think it is a horrible and terrifying thought.

O'neal's recent injury history is just as sketchy as TJ Ford's, but there is consolation in the fact that TJ makes $8 mil per season, compared to $22 mil for O'neal.  That's a lot of money to be spending (wasting) on a guy who likely won't play a full season, and is especially difficult if your team is working on a budget.  For the same amount of money, a team could easily afford 2 or 3 other players of the same caliber who will be more reliable.  Usually when one talks of overrated players, does not Jermaine O'neals name come up often?

I do not like the idea of this trade at all.

I would be remiss in my duties to just leave it at that, so I will introduce a trade idea I do like.

What I think would work better is for the Raptors to get into talks with the Charlotte Bobcats, and encourage a sign-and-trade involving Emeka Okafor.  Okafor could easily sign for about $13 or $14 mil.  The Raptors offer up TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic, Charlotte offers Okafor and maybe Othella Harrington.  The salaries even out (approximately).  this gives Toronto more size that they have needed, and offers another rebounding option, and it gives the Bobcats a good explosive PG in Ford, teamed up with Raymond Felton, and that makes a decent PG duo.  Also, neither team is handcuffed by outrageous salaries.

Those are my thoughts of what I don't think my Raptors should do, and what I do think they should do.  I would like to thank CurlyMo who first suggested the idea of Emeka Okafor being the type of player that would help the Raptors a while ago when discussing many ideas.

If you had read my last blog, which was so eloquently thought out, unequalled by the rest of the worlds greatest thinkers, you would know I like to live in a world of fantasy.  A world inhabited by elves, unicorns, dragons, and Memphis Grizzlies fans.  It was a masterpiece with the likes of Leonardo DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Donatello, and those other guys named after famous turtles...  Perhaps you may think I am being pretentious by referencing such masters mentioned above, and using words like eloquently... and pretentious...  However, nobody has ever accused me of being humble, of being a man of quiet means.  Those that might wish to accuse me of such things are just stupid...

Anyway, that being said, I want your input.  About me?  No.  I already know what your response will be, and I thank you for your adoration.  I want your input about your team.

We all have our favourite teams.  We all have our ideas on how we can make our favourite teams better.  Many of us like to try to think with a realistic view by assessing a teams needs, and seeing what's available via trade, or free agency, or whatever...  But I am not writing about trades, more about free agents... but in my own crazy little universe type of way...

Here's what I want to know.  Who do you think in the NBA it would take to make your team that championship contender?  Maybe you feel your young athletic team is missing a good veteran presence, your team is missing that second (or first) scoring option, your team needs that energetic player off the bench to take over when your starters need a rest, you need more size, maybe a new coach is in order...

Let us say that that one player has suddenly become available.  Who is it?

There's is so much to think about, and I would like to hear, or read, your thoughts.  Let's have one rule, though.  Let's keep it to players who are still active in the NBA, no retired players... coaches however, must still be eligible to coach ( no dead guys).

Do you think one player can be the difference on your team?

There are many lists that we love to bandy about.  Best defensive players, most dominant players in clutch situations, players who could stand to have their heads shaved, etc.  But perhaps one of the most contentious and controversial lists is the greatest basketball team that could ever be assembled...  or "Dream Team."  This is a subject I take very seriously, I've thought long and hard about this, and I feel I have come up with a list that is comparable to anyone else's.

One must be able to throw all logic out the window in order to arrive at the final list, which I have gladly done for your benefit.  With that all said, here we go:

Point Guard - Joan of Arc

The position of PG tends to be one of leadership, of command on the floor; thus, Joan of Arc fits.  She managed to lead France to victory, under orders from God, over the English many, many years ago when all hope seemed lost.  Yeah... FRANCE...  Although she was eventually caught and burned at the stake, her determination and dedication makes you wonder how far she would go for this Dream Team.  Let's just hope God likes basketball...  However, lately her examples of leadership in France seem to have been forgotten.  Upon finding out that the NBA would be "invading" Europe this summer, France immediately called commisioner David Stern and surrendered...

Shooting Guard - Ron Jeremy

SG is generally a sniper, and dangerous threat from the outside, a force up close.  Someone who has to be able to make the clutch shots on command, and make them from any distance.  While he may not look the part of a SG, but we know from Ron Jeremy's prestigious acting career, he is capable of being that clutch performer.  His endurance is legendary, he can last a whole game if needed.  If Ron Jeremy can perform on the basketball court as well as he can perform on my computer screen... it's lights out!  We just have to hope his head will be in the game, and not somewhere else...  I just found out that Ron Jeremy is also Adam Morrison's fashion advisor...

Small Forward - Yoda

Similar to the SG, the SF should be the type of player who is capable of playing anywhere, and making a shot from anywhere.  Yoda fits this role both literally and figuratively.  While small in stature, no one will question his heart.  We saw his tremendous leaping ability when he fought Count Dooku on the planet Geonosis (nice place, I recommend visiting should you have vacation time).  The battle was accurately re-created in the documentary, "Star Wars: Episode II."  That surprising speed and agility from Yoda would be an asset, especially with the long rebounds after a missed jumper.  We know he'll be there to pull the ball down.  Yoda is also the type of player who can get into his opponents mind.  His shots will almost seem like they are floating into the basket, as if being controlled somehow...  Communication may be a problem... "In your face... this ball... SLAM... did I!"  Yoda must also remember to remove his brown cloak before going onto the court, or else he may just be confused with the ball...

Power Forward - King Leonidas

Someone who should have a strong mid-range to up-close game.  A position requiring tenacity, relentlessness, and exemplary physical prowess.  Who better than King Leonidas?  Although he won't have his 300 bodyguards with him on the floor, they'll be there in spirit, helping him be a man capable of standing on his own.  He won't be afraid to get rough with the opponents, he'll pull down extra rebounds with his aggression around the basket.  His chest-thumping and loud yells and roars will also make him a fan favourite, getting them into the game.  He will be a force to be reckoned with.  The coach just has to make sure he wears clothes on the court.  We'll also keep our fingers crossed that the excess olive oil on his body won't drip onto the court, thus creating a potential slipping hazard for his teammates...

Center - Stretch Armstrong

A dominating presence under and around the basket.  Fits Stretch to a tee.  He's big, he's solid, big strong arms and legs.  He'll always be able to have a hand in the opponents' face.  He'll be able to pull down the high rebounds.  Grab the ball before it comes out of bounds.  Contort his arms just enough to tip the ball out of the opponents' hands.  If he needs to put a hard foul on a player and wrap them up, there's no way he's letting the play become an "And 1."  Plus, he's always got that big smile on, which draws anyone in and makes him so likeable.  But, if "Robot Chicken" has taught us anything, the trainers must make sure that Stretch Armstrong has plenty of cornstarch in his diet so that his muscles don't seize up and he can no longer stretch out enough to make his dazzling plays...

6th Man - Master Chief

Obviously, a great team has a great support player, or role-player off the bench.  In this case, we have Master Chief, fresh from battling aliens in the Halo wars, he's ready to go.  He loves to get into the action and be a major game-changer for the good of his team.  He's a great leaper (can jump over twice his own height), an accurate shooter, and capable of working close to the basket.  The teams' secondary leader.  He can cover for all positions.  He just has to be reminded that he can't carry the basketball like the way he can with the skulls when playing Keep Away...

Now, in order to make sure this team can perform the way a Dream Team should, we must have a coach who is up to the task.  Someone who can motivate his players, someone who can push them to do all the things necessary to win, big or small.  A coach that the players will respect, and want to win for.  There is only one person for that job...  Isiah Thomas...

This series between the Cavaliers and the Celtics is really only showing me one thing.  The Detroit Pistons really look like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

In my opinion, Boston has no chance whatsoever unless they can win at least ONE road game in a series.  It doesn't matter whether they've got home court advantage or not in each series.  One tiny lapse at home, and it could spell the end for Boston's playoffs. 

The same goes for Cleveland.  Granted, they have won two games on the road (in Washington), but their play in Boston has been absolutely atrocious.  How can any team be taken seriously with those types of performances?

Lakers/Pistons in the finals.  Lakers take it all.

This just in.  The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Paul Maurice.  I'm not particularly surprised by this because someone has to be the scapegoat for the poor decisions made by management and ownership.

Maurice was the fall-guy for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and their incompetency just like Pat Quinn two years ago.  MLSE should have realized two seasons ago, when they fired Pat Quinn, that the GM, John Ferguson Jr, was more to blame.  How can a coach be expected to succeed when he is provided with sub-par talent on the ice?

It is a pitiful situation with the Maple Leafs now.  They don't really have anything in the way of prospects (because they have all been traded away for aging players on the edge of retirement).  The players they have now just aren't good enough to go anywhere.  They've got tons of money wrapped up in essentially useless players, and the only players with any value have no-movement clauses in their contracts.  Bleak times indeed.

Where do the Leafs go from here?  Maybe they can get lucky in the draft.  Do they make an offer to any young free agents?  Jeff Carter is an RFA, and is someone worth making an offer to in order to start building the team around, but will Cliff Fletcher (or whomever his replacement may be) risk the ire of opposing GM's by sending Carter an offer sheet?

I'll admit I'm pretty embarrassed to be a Leafs fan.  Ownership has jerked us around so much with false promises, and only doing "just enough" to get the team into the playoffs and help line their own pockets.  Leafs fans have been jerked around for over 40 years now.  And it looks like we'll be jerked around another 40 years...

All that money and no sense...

I just want to take a little time to talk about one member of the Toronto Raptors organization who many Raptors fans would agree has been fun to watch and listen to.

I just learned that the Raptors television play-by-play commentator, Chuck Swirsky, has accepted a new job with the Chicago Bulls (as their radio commentator I do believe), thus ending a 10 year employment with the Raptors.  This is a return for Chuck to the city that he started his broadcast career in.  This also helps his family life as well.

Listening to Chuck call a game, and just talk about it in general, it was totally obvious his absolute love of basketball.  He had a great intelligence of the game subtleties, and its nuances, and it was a pleasure listening to him.  Whenever he was teamed up with colour commentators Leo Rautins (Coach of the Canadian basketball team) or Jack Armstrong, he always had some great insight into the game that really gave them the chance to shine with their knowledge.

What we'll mostly remember Chuck Swirsky for are his uniquely quirky catchphrases which made their way onto t-shirts and fans poster-boards, and into television commercials.  Sayings such as:

-  "You can ring it UP..." then give a shout out to a Raptor fan watching after the first 3-pointer scored

-  "Onions, baby, onions!!!" after the Raptors would go on a run

-  "Get out the umbrellas!  It's raining trays!"  after scoring a few 3-pointers

-  yelling "Oh my BOSH!" after a highlight real play by the one and only Chris Bosh

And probably his most well known:

-  "Get out the salami and cheese, mama!  This ballgame is OVER!" when the Raptors win the game

Chuck will be a tough act to follow, and I wish his successor the best of luck.  Chicago, you got a great person working in the Bulls organization now, and I think you'll grow to like him as much as he was liked in Toronto.

I'll miss Chuck here, but wish him all the best in Chicago.

I'll keep this nice and short.

Let's be honest, who does NOT sometimes find themselves rooting for the underdog?  Did you find yourself rooting for the 76ers last night?  Are you going to be rooting for the Hawks?  A little part of me was...