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I guess every now and then going to a morning shootaround isn't such a bad idea.

We've just been dutifully informed that the Raptors may be without both Jason Kapono and Jermaine O'Neal for the New Year's Eve game with the Nuggets.

Kapono's got a right quadriceps contusion (fancy way to say a leg bruise) and he'll be a game time decision; O'Neal's over the flu but he's got a bruised right knee (that's the good one, by the way) and he'll be a similar game-time call.

No word on who might replace them if they can't go but it'd be safe to assume Anthony Parker fills in for Kapono and it's got to be either Andrea Bargnani or maybe even Kris Humphries or Jake Voskuhl if O'Neal can't go.

Oh, and remember last time Toronto was at home and there was that smattering of boos in the Dallas game? Here's what Jose just told us:

"It happens. The fans want us to win, they have expectations for us and we have to deal with that."

But he also said he needs, or wants, some support:

"When I say 'team' it's not just the players and coaches. The fans are in that word, too."

Okay, so you're up to date.

Comments

[TN]

If Jose wants to include the fan's in his definition of team, I'd like to know where I pick up my multi million dollar pay cheque

[Ryan]

I like Jose's attitude. I know that we (the fans) are always supposed to refer to the team as them, and not us or we. This does create a disconnect though, and I'm not sure that there should be that disconnect.

If the fans don't feel connected with the team, then it develops into an "us versus them" mentality. Maybe, unlike many other cities, we understand that too well, and don't consider ourselves as part of the team.

Just throwing some thoughts out there.

[Dave Robinson]

I know you don't write the headlines but the "may be" of the story is "will be" in the headline. Perhaps that should be changed. Ta and Happy New Year.

[Hao Qian]

No JK and JO and the Nuggets crushed the Raps last time they met. lol what a place not to celebrate the New year's eve at the ACC. Fans don't buy your tickets because we all know it's going to be another blow out game.
I am sorry but Jay Triano has done a poor job coaching the Raps on Both Offensive an defensive end, especially the offense. I don't see any plays except jump shots and some post move from CB4 and JO. It's ridiculous to see Jay not pushing these to run quicker and get tougher. They should go to the weight room everyday. I'm talking to you Jamario, CB4 and Jose. If tonight's game is another blow out. I would speculate a trade from BC. Remember Sam got fired after the Nugget's game and BC and make another move after this game.

[Jamie Buckingham]

Never mind putting the ownest on the fans. Shut up - Jose - you million dollar baby and start playing like your being paid too. If you want me to shoulder some of this(losing),as a fan, then give me my share!

Blogger's note: It's onus and calling Jose Calderon a million-dollar baby might be the most ridiculous thing written here in a very, very long time. And next time you don't do your absolute best at your job, will you give some your money away? Didn't think so.

[Jonathan]

Jamie... ownest, lol, really? The moment you and other Raptor fans receive your "paycheck" is the moment you actually contribute to a Raptors game, win or lose. That doesn't mean we're not all in it together.

If you think Bosh and Calderon saying the fans need to get with it too is selfish/babyish/whatever adjective you'd choose to use, maybe you should refer to some articles in the past declaring (rightly or otherwise) Raptors fans to have the lowest basketball IQ in the league, cheering and booing at all the wrong moments. Even if that was just pure American bias, you have to admit that at least in other people's eyes, our fans can help the team to win or lose. Don't be so stubborn as to think you should always get yours.

[Anne MacKay]

Doug,

Thanks for putting Jamie Buckingham in his place. I am sick and tired of the "fans" (can we really call then that?) who keep dumping on Jose.

As you mentioned earlier this morning Joses's numbers are up from last year and I am sure his assists would be through the roof if his team mates were making their shots.

There is a lot wrong with the Raptors team this year but Jose Calderone is not one of the problems and neither is Chris Bosh or O'Neill.

Doug, I loved it when you called the Raps fans (not all of them) bi-polar in one of your blogs earlier this year.

That is the best way to describe them.

It won't be long (I hope) when these naysayers will be bragging about our team again. And, Jose in particular.

[Boko]

We need a scary SG, for starters, and a dependable substitute PG, if possible. Otherwise, even if we make the playoffs, it'd be one & out. That's not the goal this year, is it?

[Uncle Zeke]

How many times this year have we seen Chris Bosh get in the face of a teammate when they make another boneheaded play? How about Garnett chewing out a teammate?

How is this any different than the fans showing the same displeasure by booing? Doug, where were the ridiculous articles castigating Bosh for the same non-ra-ra behaviour that you're holding the fans accountable for?

And big deal if someone spells a word wrong- you clearly understood the meaning... Should we start reviewing your blog for spelling and grammar? And saying ridiculous things is your m.o.- so get off your high horse...

If the team wants fans to cheer then either win or show passion and hard work in defeat...

[City Country]

Poor Jose, he feeds off fan intensity so hopefully he'll get a little positive energy on this home swing (hopefully the Raps give a better home effort to get the fans cheering).

But hey anyone see the Kevin Garnett elbow on Aldridge in the last minute of the Celts' loss last night? Really really dirty, and a forceful blow. KG tries to make it look like he's not even doing anything but it's obviously a premeditated elbow to the head, which by strict rules is a major offense (purposeful head-blow outside of 'heat of moment' situation). KG is such a swearword. He should get suspended for that garbage (just for that little trick, but also as the worst player for inappropriate physical contact this year) but the league probably won't even mention it. They wouldn't have even T'd up KG if Aldridge hadn't smacked him in the back of the head in response. Someone should really go back at KG (by which I mean, say a hard elbow to the head) and that might cut back his shameful antics.

[sams fan]

Doug, u told me to stop calling raptor fans idiots. Well too bad u were WRONG! they are idiots. Oh and i blame our poor record on those idiot fans and their 82-0 rants when we started the season started 3-0. I think they jinked us. One thing forsure, even if bosh leaves toronto, he aint gonna go to newyork cuz hes done dealing with idiot fans. here is a trade scenerio that might work for them. How about bosh calderon bargnani and parkers expiring contract for KG pierce and ray allen. i think that should be enough for the raptors to get them. take care morons.

Blogger's note: if they're such morons in your opinion, why do persist in bothering with them? I'd presume they'd be just as happy if you didn't. And, frankly, in this case so would I.

[Tony]

Ownest...That is great...
Toronto fans are the worst...love them when they win...hate them when they lose

I have been a Raptors since day 1 at the Dome...
Better times will come...

Happy new years, all...
Peace and love and a win tonight!!!

[Mrs Buckingham]

Dear Jamie,
I belief, as fans, we shoud put the ownest on ourselves to support the team. Instead of panacing and calling them babies, how about some constructive critisisms. Your way out off line.
I though I rised you better.
Love Mom.

[Scout]

Uncle Zeke... read your posts the past couple of days and I have a couple questions. Do you go to restaurants just to tell them you think their food sucks? Do you go to concerts to sit in the audience and boo? Do you go to a movie to complain about it? Do you ask someone to dance so you can tell them you never liked them?

I don't know why you come to this blog only to spew vitriol and insults... but it's getting tired.

Here's a resolution for you... chill, partake in the good things life has to offer and remember, sports is for amusement! It's an "up and down" kind of venture that's measured by possessions, quarters, games, seasons, eras.

If you're not amused... don't buy a ticket on the ride!

[davepark]

as this season comes to an end, hopefully we will all be on the same page...getting thru to the 2nd and 3rd round of the playoffs. impossible? never. WE MUST BELIEVE ! ! !

yes there are peaks and valleys in the course of a season, but the only way to really make a difference is for TORONTO to come together as a whole - a unit - a driving force ~ and ultimately i believe it starts in the bleachers and in the seats of ACC.
In any given moment in any given game there are instances where players play to their utmost 100% God-given talent. Whether it be Bargnani, seeing the lane and dribble-driving hard to the hoop against a veteran counterpart or whether it be Moon, jumping as high as he can to snatch a rebound from a taller stronger forward. WE as fans must understand this and recognize and truly SUPPORT OUR RAPTORS. Jose is right, CB4 is right. There is nothing like fueling your tired body with thousands of screaming fans from the stands. So Stand Up Toronto and let's build this iota of a post into a developing growing organism transforming it into something that will feed our players on the court !

Positive Vibrations = Raptor Victories.

[davepark]

Hey Doug...I often post but don't ever see them get posted. Would it help to put a face to the name? I saw you at Cooper's a couple weeks back sitting 4 O'Clock to you. Anyway...I hope the Raptors win tonight and hope to see some responses to the posts i put up. Are they too long?

Question...I haven't seen once this year where Jose doesn't throw the pass when the pick rolls. There might be a slight space where he can throw it but doesn't. Are his taped up fingers that messed up?

Question 2...Had the Raptor Brass made a mistake when they tried suing the Spanish Federation for Jorge Garbajosa's persistent fervour to play in the Olympics?

Blogger's note: I'll have to get to questions later, I'm afraid. Lots of stuff to do as the game unfolds.

[I boo @ Raptor games]

Scout you are a joke. In your extreme intelligence you have somehow forgotten that some of us have already "bought the ticket" as season seat holders. Have you ever heard of them? We are the ones who have literally invested not just emotions but THOUSANDS of dollars for our seats unlike you. And unlike you who can just not buy a ticket to the next home game I already have it and what 30 more? So screw what Jose and his no defence thinks. Play. Shut up and give me my moneys worth. I've had tickets before the latest bunch of loser players have joined this team. The funny thing about earlier Raptor teams is that they were enjoyable to watch. Not enough skill to win but so much fun. Watching Bargs limping improvement is like watching paint dry. The NBA is where amazing happens and a little update a three is not amazing. If I must endure a loss the least my money deserves is entertainment. So ya I will boo BC and any Raptor that doesn't do their job. Technically I'm at the very least an investor.

[Tabber]

Aww, the poor baby makes so much money he can afford tickets so he's better than anyone else who has other ways to spend their money. Waa waa waa, who put the gun to your head? Like a little cheese with that whine, Mr. Oh-so-superior? I wouldn't want your life for all your boasted-about money. Ever think that if you weren't such a miserable cuss you'd enjoy life more? No, I didn't think so, that would require thinking. You, sir or madam, are unfortunately not a joke, you are a minute-scale tragedy, a waste of skin. Please drive your no-doubt expensive fancy polluting vehicle to another jurisdiction so we don't have to breath your exhaled poisonous fumes.

[I boo @ Raptor games]

Tabber, it would seem that you are even more mentally challeneged than Scout. My comments were a response to Scout's instruction to not, "buy a ticket on the ride" and by extension stop complaining. All I was saying was that there are those of us in the thousands who at this point do not have that option. Everyday citizens not corporate interests who because of their passion saved, scrapped by or joined collectives to own tickets to the game and the team that they love. Do not try to belittle this fact. The money isn't a boast its just a reality. The same way you don't expect me to question everyone else's other ways to spend their money kindly extend me the same courtesy. I have paid for a product of which the advertisement was grossly inflated and I WILL voice my displeasure. This is a product like any other and I will exercise my consumer right.