A significant number arrives; thanks for validating what we do

A bit of a digression off the top, please indulge me a few personal paragraphs (boss’s idea) if you will.

I don’t think any of us had a clue what might transpire here when we began this little experiment back in November, 2007; we weren’t sure how sustainable it would be or whether it’d just be a place to park excess Raptors information.

Well, think we’ve found out.

According to our little page-view counter, we went past 20,000,000 some time late yesterday afternoon, a feat we should all be kind of proud of.

Now, I know a bit of it is simply a function of time – we’ve been at this almost five years now – but even to me that’s a rather impressive number and it’s got to do as much with the Irregulars as it does with me.

It’s turned into one of the most fun and rewarding things I’ve done in a longish career, some days we joke, some days we educate, some days we entertain in any manner of ways and, yes, some days there are snippets of news and opinion about the Raptors and the NBA.

And it always seems to evoke response, there have been 20 million page views but there have also been more than 55,000 comments posted in that time; some quite complimentary, some not so much but many heartfelt and I appreciate that.

As we’ve said before, this is like the world’s biggest cyber-cocktail party, a disparate group where if you don’t like one conversation you can simply move to another part of the room where the cool kids are hanging out.

And it’s generally fun.

Not sure what you all get out of it but I get a terrific sense of accomplishment most mornings, I like most of the interaction, I’ve really enjoyed branching out a little bit (not a sentiment shared by all of you, unfortunately) and when I hit the post button each morning, it’s done with the knowledge that it’ll either inform you, perhaps infuriate you but always entertain you.

And that’s what it’s all about.

One of the Taller Foreheads at Mother Star was asking me last night about favourite posts over the years and that’s a difficult exercise.

Remember Sam getting fired?

Or Jay getting fired?

Or Jose-TJ or Jose-Jarrett and how cool would it have been to be here when HWSNBN was traded?

But maybe it’s me and a desire to do a few different things but two that stood out?

This one, the first Canada Day one we did, a celebration of our great land, a chance to do something out of the ordinary.

And if that made you smile (and I hope it did) the one we did the day Yao Ming said he was going to retire gave me a chance to tell a story pretty well.

I take great pride in what we do here; I try to be reasoned and a bit provocative and a bit entertaining and, as the counter clicked past an unimaginable number yesterday, it proved that it’s working.

Thanks. Thanks an awful lot.

-

Now … usual tripe.

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Sure, you all probably spent some time yesterday humming Moon River to yourselves after news broke on the passing of Andy Williams and who could blame you.

Here’s another wee ditty he did you might recall.

RIP.

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So there was a bit of basketball and a tiny road trip yesterday.

Gumby, The First Lady Of The Beat and I, along with various and sundry others, traipsed off to the far off edge of the Beaches to watch Landry Fields deliver some season tickets to some fan.

Yeah, that was as thrilling as it sounds but it did afford us some time with Fields pre-camp and it’s always good to chat with a player because you never know what he might say.

Apart from the basic boilerplate stuff (‘I’ll do whatever the coach needs; there’s a lot of talent on this team; we have to develop some chemistry; I’m really happy to be here, yadda, yadda, yadda’) there were a couple of salient points.

One, of course, had to do with the contract – barely above the league average, mind you – and whether it adds any pressure to him:

“Not really. Honestly, with the guys and the coaching staff, they haven’t put any of that kind of pressure on me, and I haven’t felt any at all either. I just have to maintain this attitude throughout this season.”

One of the more interesting part of the chat was about where he plays, given that Dwane Casey is going to have an awful lot of options at the wing positions with DeRozan, Ross, Fields, Klieza and, who knows, maybe even McGuire. That’s going to be quite interesting over the season because there are an awful lot of options available.

“I don’t care, it doesn’t matter. You put me out there, I’m going to do what’s asked of me, it doesn’t matter what position.

“Not really (a difference). Players today are so great, they can do a multitude of things so it’s had to define a specific position unless you’re a big-time centre, I think that’s pretty obvious. I think a lot of guys can do a lot.”

But is it a problem?

“I don’t think so. It helps with defensive matchups; if you get cross-matched you can still guard the same kind of guy. It definitely helps players but it also makes it much tougher because now all these guys are at the same level and you really have to beat out some great competition to stay on the floor.”

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You know how some of us can tell fall is here?

You have to put a jacket on to walk Super Dog at 5:30 a.m.; first day today and while it was still shorts and flipflops weather, a jacket was a must.

Guess summer is over.

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You folks sent some doozies to the mail yesterday but there’s always room for more.

You’ve got the drill down pat, right?

Click. Write. Send.

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Welcome back, real NFL refs. Don’t you dare blow a call late in a close game.

Funny what a huge public outcry over a travesty of a call will do to spur stalled negotiations that end with a sudden settlement to a long work stoppage.

Wonder what the pucks equivalent would be?

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And, finally, one of the hardest-working in show business put together a list of the highest read things we’ve done. It’s an interesting one.

Please have a read.

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Comments

[GK]

Congrats on your achievement. I've been a loyal reader since the Nothin' But Net days and your dedication to this blog is unmatched by any other sports writer I've come across over the last 5 years. For all of our sakes please keep up the good work!

Blogger's note: I plan to, thanks

[David Phelan]

Congrats on the 20,000,000! A big accomplishment with other big numbers forthcoming. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog daily and will continue to do so even though I seldom comment. Summer is officially over but the weather here in St. John's, NL is still warm and wonderful! The highlight of my summer was taking in The Boss at Rogers Centre with my terrific wife and I have to say that our 4 days in Toronto were some of the best of my life and the people we met there were so friendly and helpful!

Cheers to you and your loyal followship!

Blogger's note: We can be a nice people here. Thanks

[Tim H.]

Congratulations Doug!

That's quite an awesome accomplishment. As I was reading, I kept wondering why sometimes it was "I," while others, it was "we." And then I realized, that the 20,000,000 hits is the result of a truly interactive thing you've got going here.
As to why I'm an Irregular: it's fun, it's informative, it's entertaining, it's thought-provoking, it's sad, it's good - really, really good.
So, once again, congrats! I hope I'm still around when you reach 40,000,000!

Blogger's note: Oh, so do I. Thanks

[Paul]

Congrats!

And thank you for putting yourself out there day after day.

Much appreciation.

Blogger's note: Thank you, my pleasure

[Dallas]

Doug,

Thanks. You feed the beast like no other, and I'm sure you take more than enough grief for it. At the same time, when the guard is down, it becomes obvious how much you appreciate each of the 20 million visits to your corner of the interweb. Just think if you'd been a musician instead of a Journalist, and instead of page views they were records sold, you'd be in some pretty good company. Well, this space is your album, and it's content is your music, and you've had 20 million through the gate, some of them more than once!

Anyway, as a thank you to the irregulars, I think it's time you divulge the horn dog raptor that's keeping his neighbors up. 20 million strong want to know!

Cheers.

Blogger's note: Ha! We'll see

[vc]

Congrats doug! I know I come here daily and contribute to the hits count but don't often post comments, just thought I'd stop by now and say keep up the great work!

Blogger's note: Thanks

[Peter]

I think Colangelo needs to stick with tradition and continue to present you with a new award every 10,000,000. :) Congratulations! And thank you for what you do!

Blogger's note: I appreciate it, thanks

[bk]

Congratulations on reaching such an impressive milestone.
Keep up the good work, Doug!

Blogger's note: Will try; and thanks

[Mark]

Congrats Doug! This is blog is as essential as my morning coffee!

Blogger's note: Nice! Thanks

[Shaun]

Doug,

Congrats on hitting such a big milestone - we really appreciate your insights into all things Raptors, sports and life. I hope for your sake the team is in playoff mix so that you can have some fun things to write about come spring!

All the best and thank you.

Cheers.

Blogger's note: So do I, thanks

[LeeZ]

A friend of mine, a real pain in the ass sometimes, LOVES to rub it in that he saw Springsteen in the Seneca College gym back during that first ever North American tour, he and maybe a couple hundred other kids. I may not be able to compete with that, but then, neither can he compete with the fact that I saw Doug Smith's first interweb offering, waaaaaaaaaaay before he got famous. So there! Doug, to paraphrase Neil Young, long may you (and the blog) run, my friend.
Lee.

Blogger's note: I appreciate that very much

[David in Oakville]

Congratulations Doug!

20 Million page views and you don't look dog eared at all!

Well done.

+

Really, Superdog gets up at 5:30 AM?

Blogger's note: She gets up as soon as she hears me stir, the silly dog. Next she'll be wanting breakfast in bed. And thanks

[sam]

A must read for me everyday! Congrats on the Milestone - and Congrats to the Tall Foreheads for allowing you to keep this little part of the internet going.

Blogger's note: Yes, they deserve thanks, too. Appreciate it

[Kate C]

As a regular irregular, I also congratulate you on the milestone, and look forward to many more. Your blog is always one of the first things I read every morning. And having had the pleasure of meeting you, I can share with your readers that you are as warm and welcoming in real life as you are in the blog. Thanks for all you do.

Kate C

Blogger's note: Wow, thanks very much

[SheikYurbouti]

Quite a feat Doug. Congrats, and wishing many millions more. Though my post history is sporadic, short of holidays, I've been opening this "box of chocolates" every day since the start. I don't always agree with your opinions, but appreciate the thought and discussion provoking that they do. Heck, I've even turned non basketball fans in Calgary onto this place, who come here for at least the pop culture and music/travel/food/libation banter of people of our vintage. HA, some are even becoming Raptor fans!!
Cheers, GO RAPS!!!

Blogger's note: That's the goal; thanks very much

[KenL]

Congrats Doug. How does it feel to know you are part of so many people's lives whether they be irregular or not?
Been reading your blog since it started and always look forward to it. One thing I enjoy the most about your blog and IGBT is how interactive you make it. You take all comers positive and negative and the way you deal with knuckleheads can be described as nothing by classy and sometimes quite humorous.
Keep up the great work Doug and here's to another 20,000,000 and millions more after that.

Blogger's note: Feel flattered and honoured and appreciative. Thanks

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
Well, congratulations on your achievement! 20 million! It seems like only last season the 10 million milestone was achieved, doesn't it? And while it was that Rarest Of Rare Raptor Occurrences that first led me to this wondrous place - A Point Guard Controversy (Ha! Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose, eh!?And what ever became of Roko?) - but it's been the delightful daily serving of education, entertainment and engagement that's kept me hitting the Refresh Key! Thank you so much for all you've done, that you do and I hope that you'll continue to do for a very, very long time.

Blogger's note: As do I :). Thanks very much

[David T (State College)]

Congrats on the milestone, Doug. I picked you up during the Nothin' but Net days and probably haven't missed more than a handful since then. It's a testament to your skill in your craft that you've been able to embrace a new way to interact with your readership and then been able to keep going strong by never staying static, beginning with Grunt TV and branching out to food, travel and *gulp* fashion.

I can truthfully say it's a direct result of you and your blog that The Star has become the first place I go to when I'm looking for news "back home" (though I'm not from Toronto).

Let's keep it going until 50M

Blogger's note: Those are kind words, thanks

[Jamie]

Hi Doug,

Congratulations on the milestone. When I moved to Toronto in 2006 I had next to no interest in basketball, but the relative success of that season coupled with your excellent sports writing both in the paper and Nothin' But Net drew me into a game that has now supplanted football (soccer) as my favourite.

When I moved back to Scotland, and as the team's fortunes faded somewhat I still regularly read your blog every afternoon, and I know when the season kicks off in a few weeks I'll be staying up until 3am several times a week watching a dodgy stream and reading your in game blog. Thanks for helping me become a fan of a game I love.

Blogger's note: My pleasure, entirely

[jc]

What do I win?! What do I win?!

On a more serious note, numbers are nice but you don't need them to tell you what you have here. I think I've said it before, but in an informal survey of 29 other NBA teams, no other city gets this type of dedication and involvement from one of its scribes. In the few good times and the more frequent hair pulling times, your Raptor fan base has a place to make sense of it all. A place we can call our own.

Blogger's note: That's the goal, thanks

[Anthony R]

20,000,000! Thank-you Doug!

Blogger's note: You're welcome

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
"The many lapses of the well-meaning men who tried to do the toughest job in officiating"
Apparently, you are going to have to enlighten your colleague, Not Grace.

[John]

Congrats Doug. Long time reader .. .since the Nothin but Net days ... but an infrequent poster. As someone in the journalism racket myself, I've always been amazed at how much you produce, and how much s#$t you put up with while doing it! And I think the pace it picking up, it seems like yesterday that Bryan was congratulating you for 10 million hits. Anyway, keep it up!. There's a whole lot of us out here who appreciate the effort.

Blogger's note: Time does fly, doesn't it?

[Tom]

Congratulations from a regular from the start (nothin' but inter-net days). I may not comment all the time, but I always read your blog in the morning with my Coffee and breakfast and again in the evening to check the comments. 20 million is a great milestone and something to be proud of. Please keep up the great work, as this blog is an oasis... Well done Sir!

Blogger's note: Much appreciated

[Dave B.]

Congratulations Doug. I assume you get a $1.00 for every hit. If not, try to get that in your next contract.

I too have been here since the beginning and the Nothin' But Net days. I look forward to reading your blog everyday. I do occasionally comment and send mail. I sometimes disagree with you, but more often than not I agree with you. If I strongly disagree with you, I will consider commenting but most often I decide it is not the right thing to do.

I really enjoy your human interest stories and you do a great job of recognizing people. I especially like reading your places to visit whether it is cities or pubs or restaurants.

I like the way you deal with the Raptors team and the players. You do not throw the players under the bus as many of your colleagues do. I believe for the most part the players are doing the best they can and deserve a certain level of respect which you give them.

Thanks Doug for doing this and keeping us entertained even in the dog days of the off season. Hopefully we are all around for the next 20 million.

Now, go and work on that new contract.

Blogger's note: I'd love to get right on that. Thanks