Many of you have emailed me about a twitter dialogue I had with Greg Brady a couple of days ago. As you know, I have been riding the local print media to shine the light a little brighter on the Toronto Raptors. Last Monday, after their big home win vs. the LA Lakers the Toronto Sun buried the Raptors on page 6. Mr. Brady’s point was, to summarize, that this is a Leafs town first, it’s suicide to cover the Raptors ahead of the Leafs until the Raptors win a playoff round and that regular season NBA game of a mediocre team didn’t demand more attention than the AFC/NFC title games.

All that Brady has said is in fact true. When he says that the Raptors haven’t won a playoff round in 15 years, he’s right. Their road record sucks, as he says it does. This was just one game in January. All true, and he is in fact entitled to his opinion.

Personally, I like Michael Grange’s take this morning:

“Regardless of what happens the rest of season, the Toronto Raptors have accomplished something vital by pulling themselves off the NBA scrap heap in the space of six crisp weeks.

They’ve made themselves relevant.”

Well, if the Raptors totally crumble and return to their earlier ways then it’s all for not. Having said that, in a town where our hockey team is so bad that Brady and Watters debated why people would even go to a home game, at the very least the Raptors are still playing meaningful games. Does that mean a whole lot? NO. Does it mean that I may actually follow their games- YES. We citizens of Loserville only want a team that we can actually watch around the midpoint of the season. Our iced prodcut hasn’t really been to that level in years. Their hardwood brothers are there right now.

“Last night, the Air Canada Centre was rocking again as an energized crowd of 18,265 came out to see the Raptors duel Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, three days after the home team defeated Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in front of one of the biggest crowds in franchise history. ”

Look, their is a buzz starting to be generated about this team. If this were, I don’t know a lesser team, would the ACC have been filled tonight????? Good question. Let’s see what happens over the next little while. It is a nice change to see a team in this town put together a string of wins though.

“And while any basketball fan would be entertained watching Wade weave, slither and explode for 35 points and 10 assists, a Raptors fan could take heart that – as they have almost every night since early December – their club competed and for the most part had answers.

The result was a 111-103 win that improved Toronto to 17-9 since their season-low point last Dec. 4. ”

Ya see, people say Leafs fans are pulling their hair out over the teams performance therefore a real rebuild wouldn’t be tolerated. That’s utter nonsense. It’s not the losing that bothers me. It’s the way in which the team is losing. The Leafs haven’t for the most part competed. If the Leafs were comprised of younger players who busted their butts night in and out and lost, that would at least be hope. We get none of the that right now.

“You want to become part of the conversation in your local sports market? How about winning 11 of your last 12 games on home court?

Last night, Toronto (24-22) did it in pleasing fashion. ”

I agree, it is something to take note of. In Brady’s defence, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and pat ourselves on the back yet. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it while it lasts. It’s a hell of a lot more interesting to watch and talk about than which Leaf player floated the night before isn’t it. The Leafs these days are like a part of the Festivus ritual, the one where we tell someone all the ways they have disappointed us in the past year. Except with the Leafs we can do it about the previous night’s game.

By the way, most of the Toronto Sports Media personalities who are on twitter have really embraced it. They are not only commentating on twitter, they are part of the conversation. As a fan, I think that’s awesome. Guys like Brady do a phenomenal job on twitter.

So we here at TSM had a chance to speak with a very deep pocketed individual who happens to own a part of a professional sports team in one of the professional leagues (not NHL). We suggested to this person that they look hard at the Tampa Bay Lightning as it could be a good acquisition for this person, who has the wherewithal to pay cash for the team if it were for sale. The response was very telling. Basically, we were told that this person loves hockey, one of their favorite sports and at one time they considered buying a team. However, it won’t happen. The NHL, according to this person has “the worst TV deal and leadership (commissioners) in professional sports. Until both of those things change, “I have no interest”.

So, the Argos owners are looking to David Braley to buy them out, or so says the Globe and Mail’s David Naylor. I remember when I was younger having to explain to my American friend that there were other teams in the CFL than those named Roughriders. How the hell do you explain that own guy can own 2 teams in the same league when there are only 8 teams? Say this for Braley, 1/4 are great odds when it comes to winning isn’t it.

I love that Jamal Mayers and Exelby have asked to be traded. Don’t ya think that if Brian Burke could have he would have already?????

From Montreal

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Grange is here

Here’s your bikini of the day from www.bikinibeat.org

On FAN 590 Tonight:

4:10 Michael Grange

4:25 Elliotte Friedman

5:25 Eugene Melnyk

5:45 Dan Shulman

6:06 Don Banks

6:30 Sean Cullen, Comedian in studio

6:45 Tom Tebbutt from Australia

On 640 with Brady and Watters thanks to Mike S.:

- Tom Kurvers

- Rob Higgins, fantasy hockey expert

- Jay Triano, head coach of the Raptors

- Jolly Jonas Siegel from Florida to preview tonight’s Leafs-Lightning game

- Hockey insider Pierre McGuire at 6:10

- Show ends at 6:30 to make way for the Leafs pre-game show

28 games in, 11 and 17. 11 games from the top, yet only 1 game out of a playoff spot. 9 games from the bottom. 4 and 6 in their last 10. Losers of their past 2. The one thing that we have learned from our ice friends is that teams with new components can take a while to mesh. Michael Grange in the Globe and mail has a good article looking at the Toronto Raptors and the tipping point they are quickly approaching. Grange points out that, “Through 28 games the Raptors have been blown out nine times already. Their average margin of defeat is 16 points. ”

This, as it sits today isn’t a good basketball team. I who know nothing about basketball now that. Grange goes on to talk about the difficult schedule the Raptors have faced and the necessity to give them time to prove themselves- coach included.

Here’s the question I have Raptors fans. They have changed the coach, they have changed most of the parts. The result appears to be the same. Am I wrong? Does Bryan Colangelo get another shot at another coach? Does he get another shot at changing the deck chairs? The guy totally rebuilt the team this past offseason, to the delight of most who cover and root for the team. What are the 2 constants in this every changing franchise? Colangelo and Bosch. Really, what else am I missing? BC said that the best way to keep Bosh was to build a winner around him. So much for that plan, at least so far right? What’s the next option? Should Triano go? Those who cover the team have been very very polite. Those who go to the games have been very very loyal.

So, the season isn’t over yet. There is time to salvage things. What should BC do? What can be done? What does a fan think?

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Grange is here

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight-

- open phones with McCown from 4:05 to 4:40
- Grapeline with Don Cherry & Brian Williams at 4:45
- co-host from 5:00 to 7:00 is Stephen Brunt
- James Deacon
- Michael Grange

On 640 with Brady and Watters thanks to Mike S.:

Today on the Bill Watters Show:

- Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks

- Ron Wilson, head coach of the Leafs

- hockey insiders Darren Dreger & Scott Morrison at 6:10

Greetings from Detroit.

I listened to the Leafs take on the lightning tonight on XM radio as I drove across the 401 and I have to tell you I have never heard a more boring play by play duo as the guy on Tampa radio, one of whom sounded like Phil Esposito. I may not love Joe Bowen, but at least you can listen to the guy. When the opposing team scores, Bowen isn’t as excited as those rare opportunities when the Buds score, but he isn’t totally monotone as whomever did play by play for the Bolts. No joke, when the Leafs scored tonight, he may as well been reading the phonebook. His voice didn’t raise at all. One word… BRUTAL.

Meanwhile, the MSM took on the Brendan Burke issue today. The articles ranged from the good (Arthur, and Blair), the fair( Damien Cox) , the over the top, (Steve Simmons), the yawn, (Michael Grange) and finally, the absurd, (David Shoalts).

“Burke’s support for son could change hockey and all of sports” – That’s the headline from Simmons article in the Toronto Sun. Now, this is a big story, but come on guys. Don’t go too overboard here. I could be totally wrong but I just don’t see players across the league all of the sudden opening their hearts and embracing gay athletes in their sport because of the Burkes. That isn’t in any way diminishing the courage of either Brian or Brendan.

Simmons’s article isn’t all bad though:

” It took the kind of temerity his father is known for Brendan Burke, at 21, to go public. And Buccigross’ piece should be mandatory reading for those who care about family, love and support.

In various forms, I’ve known Brian Burke for almost 30 years: The longer I’ve known him, the more depth I’ve discovered. When you strip away all the noise, the headlines, the made-for-TV bluster, what you’re left with is a large man with an even larger heart.

“Just don’t tell anybody,” he once told a colleague. “I don’t want to spoil my reputation.”

But here is big, loud Burke now, in a remarkable position of sorts: In the historical and sometimes hysterical homophobic hockey world, he can suddenly become the voice of tolerance, the voice of acceptance. He can tell people it’s OK to play hockey, be belligerent, and be gay. He can tell people it’s all right to coach and manage and scout: Sexual preferences really aren’t anybody’s business. ”

That is important and entirely accurate for sure.

Meanwhile check out Michael Grange, a writer who’s work I generally enjoy:

“If you’re gay but can skate, handle the puck and stand up for your teammates, come on out.

A fantasy of a forward-thinking hockey future or a reality close at hand? It depends whom you ask.

The NHL is still waiting for its first openly gay lodge member, either active or emeritus. There’s never been a gay player come out during his career in any of the other three major North American team sports, either, and only a handful in retirement. ”

That’s just the start of a rambling piece that really doesn’t say all that much.

Here is, in my opinion the best Damien had to offer:

“Burke, the president and general manager of the Maple Leafs and one of the best-known figures in all of hockey, learned of his son’s sexual orientation at Christmas 2007. He knew ahead of time that his son, a student at the University of Miami (Ohio) and a student worker on the school’s highly regarded hockey team, had spoken to Buccigross and that a story was to be released Tuesday afternoon.

“The feedback has been awesome,” Burke said Tuesday, about three hours after the story was first posted. “My emails have been off the charts.”

At the same time, however, Burke believes there will be those who won’t embrace the family love inherent in his acceptance of his son’s orientation or of Brendan’s decision to go public with his sexuality. Burke remembered that when he was in California in November to vote in the U.S. presidential election – he voted for Barack Obama – he was aggressively confronted by anti-gay activists protesting a same-sex marriage proposition on the California ballot.

“I told them to (expletive) get lost,” said Burke, who also voted for the proposition. “But over the next two weeks, yeah, I expect to get some hate mail over today’s story. There is going to be a backlash. All I care about is if Brendan is prepared for it. It takes jam to do what he’s done.”

All things that I didn’t know about Burke before and am more impressed with him after learning. I read the quotes from Burke and you can 100% envision him saying those things.

Jeff Blair, hits one out of the park on this one, along with Bruce Arthur:

“t never hurts to have somebody tell you, “It’s okay.” But while Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke’s support of his son’s decision to publicly acknowledge his homosexuality is welcomed both for what it says about Burke as a father and administrator, it does little to make the shower stall any less tyrannical.

History suggests that for all the good intentions and words to come out of the story of Brian and Brendan Burke, as reported this week by ESPN.com, and for all the right-thinking ideas espoused, homosexuality is still a taboo in team sports. Actors, artists, singers and politicians have all managed to acknowledge being gay without necessarily ending their careers. But team athletes haven’t – not while they’re competing. ”

Call it cynicism, or negativity, but unfortunately, I think Blair is most likely right. It’s too bad, and it’s doesn’t reduce the positive effects of the Burke Boys, it’s just a sad commentary on the world of professional sports.

“One of the most telling aspects of the ESPN story on Brendan’s struggle with how to tell his father the news is the seemingly enlightened reaction of the University of Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s hockey team to the report. Although the cautionary part of it is Brendan Burke is not a player, but a student manager with the team and that counts when ranks close – as baseball learned all too well during the steroid era, for example.

So we’re a long way from where we need to be. It is the locker room that must be the area of effective change, and an active player who must be the agent of change, if being gay is to become less of a taboo in team sports. ”

I think Blair is entirely correct. Again, a sad commentary on where we are, and a rather large admission that the effect of the Burke boys won’t be nearly as great as the headline writer on Simmons’ story.

“The demeanour of the players tells much more about their feelings with regards to gay athletes than their words. ”

That is how Shoalts opens his piece on the story. It’s the beginning of the end for Shoalts. Why ask a question if you aren’t going to believe the question. If you ask it of guys, there has to be certain degree of faith that the answer you are given is truthful. Secondly, last time I checked I didn’t know Shoalts to be a licensed psychologist or lie detector who can sense that he is being lied to.

“All of those questioned were sincere in saying they would, like the Leafs GM, support any family member who revealed they were gay.”

Then why ask the question? Why start with the preamble that every quote in your piece is not to believed? Shoalts went down the line, Maple Leafs, players and coaches, and Tampa Lightning players too. He has quotes from multiple players. Yet he leads with a line that suggests he doesn’t really believe them. Why bother reading on? In all it’s not a bad story but for the beginning. Kind of surprising given the author.

We can’t be surprised by the coverage. The MSM is in the news business and this is news. It’s bigger than life because it’s Brian Burke and he is in Toronto. It’s good attention if it changes anything. However, I think Blair is probably right though, until a current NHLer comes out, little will change. We still live in a hurtful society.

In other news, the Buds almost lost one tonight having choked on a 2-0 lead. They percervered and won, beating Tampa, in Tampa for the first time in regulation. Small, tiny steps for this team. Let’s see them string a couple of these together, then we can get excited.

Happy US turkey day to all celebrating- prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Simmons is here

Grange is here

Cox is here

Blair is here

Shoalts is here

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight-

- open phones with McCown from 4:05 to 4:40
- co-host from 5:00 to 7:00 is Stephen Brunt
-5:25 Doug Smith & Michael Grange from the ACC
-5:45 Gail Graham, LPGA’s Tournament Owners Association
6:05 Ed Olczyk, NBC & Versus
6:30 Jim Popp, Als GM
6:45 TENTATIVE! Dr. Mark Aubry, Hockey Canada’s Chief Medical Officer

On 640 with Brady and Watters thanks to Mike S.:

- Marc Crawford, head coach of the Dallas Stars
- Bryan Colangelo, general manager of the Raptors
- hockey insider Scott Morrison at 6:10

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

5:20 Michael Grange, Globe & Mail in studio

5:40 Claude Lemieux, Battle of the Blades IN STUDIO

6:05 Ed Olczyk, NBC & Versus

6:30 Peter Keating, ESPN The Magazine

6:45 George Stoumbolopoulos, The Hour

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

- Plenty of discussion on last night’s Leafs game

- Rob Higgins, fantasy hockey expert

- Hockey insider Scott Morrison at 6:10

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

McCown hosts…

- Dave Feschuk and Michael Grange join McCown and Brunt on the Roundtable

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

- Bob The Bear Cowan with his NFL picks for the week

- Mario Impemba, television broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers

- Discussion on all of the latest Phoenix Coyotes developments

There are always three sides to every story. Literally, there is one side, the other side and then the truth which usually lies somewhere in between the two. So when we read Craig Button’s account of life under John Ferguson Jr. we have to take it with grain of a salt, knowing that there has to be more to the story. I am not calling Button a liar, on the contrary, I am saying he is human, and he is good at telling a version of the story that best suits him.

Having said that, in reading a couple of excerpts of Leafs AbomiNation: The Dismayed Fan’s Handbook to Why the Leafs Stink and How They Can Rise Again, by Dave Feschuk and Michael Grange, I am intrigued enough to want to read the rest of the book. The Toronto Star ran a piece today, as did the Globe and Mail. It appears to be a book that most Leaf fans will want to read as it provides an inside look into what was happening on the inside of our team. None of the stories on their own surprise me. What does surprise me is just how bad things were. I mean, we as fans always heard tales. There have been rumblings about the ways of Richard Peddie, and the competency of John Ferguson Jr. but I don’t think that anyone every REALLY believed that either was as bad as the pundits made them out to be.

“A big reason I left is there’s got to be a fit. When you don’t feel you’re contributing, when you don’t feel anybody’s paying attention even, it’s difficult to stick around,” says Button. “I cannot begin to tell you how non-communicative John Ferguson and Mike Penny were. I’m talking, not even, `Good idea.’ “You’d send stuff to them – nothing. Somebody asked me once, `What’s John like in private?’ I said, `Exactly like he is in public.’ And I’m not trying to rip on John. I think he was overwhelmed. I think he was like a deer in the headlights and he didn’t know what to do.”

This type of story by Button is the exact thing I used to hear about JFJ all the time. He didn’t listen to anyone’s advise or counsel EVER. Despite the fact that he was a rookie GM, he always considered himself the smartest guy in the room. What’s surprising about this is not only that it comes from Button, but that stories were true. Button tries to salvage Ferguson’s reputation by blaming those who hired him. While I am the first to admit he was a brutal hire, not listening to those around you is a character flaw. It’s not the responsibility of Peddie or anyone else. Either Ferguson is smart or he isn’t. He either listened to advice or he didn’t. Being overwhelmed usually means you are smart enough to get help. Typically when someone is overwhelmed they don’t try to do everything themselves.

“”I think it’s the dumbest thing they ever could have done. Putting [prospects] under the scrutiny of Toronto? I can’t think of anything dumber. How do you live in a city like Toronto when you’re a young player making $50,000 a year? But that was a business-side decision. They thought they were going to make a ton of money off the Marlies. They thought they’d make something like $3 million or $4 million a year. And they’re losing $3 million or $4 million a year. So they were off by $6 or $8 million.”

It’s actually pretty funny. We on this site say it all the time. the Marlies are on of the poorest run organizations off the ice in sports we have ever seen. While I don’t like the fact that a smaller market lost their team, I think moving the team to Toronto was a good thing. It allows the kids to get lots of exposure, to be seen by scouts and it’s a great way for the Leafs brass to keep an eye on them. It cuts down on travel and makes moving players around a lot easier. MLSE had no clue how to run a minor league franchise, and as late as the playoffs last season it was apparent they still had lots to learn. Toronto remains an event driven market, and a Maple Leaf market. It is not a hockey city. The only way they are going to ever fill the building is if the find a way to penetrate the kids leagues and groups. They also have to find a way to make the games into an event. They have to sell more sizzle and less steak.

Button’s story about his recommendation to sign Fabian Brunnstrom is epic. Button recommended signing Brunnstrom while he was in Europe long before he was on anyone’s radar:

“”It was a no-brainer,” says Button, looking back. “I mean, here was a free agent you can sign for next to nothing? It’s a no-brainer.”

But when Bergman brought the plan to Ferguson and the GM’s lieutenant, Mike Penny, the no-brainer became a flat-out no.

“Mike Penny, with John Ferguson right there, said, `There’s no f–king way we’re f–king signing a guy and having him play in f–king Sweden. What the f–k is this bullshit?’” says Button. “I’m sitting there thinking, `Okay. Don’t listen to me. That’s okay. But you hired this guy, Thommie Bergman, and this is his job, to find talent in Europe, and this is how he gets treated?’ But that’s exactly what was said.”

Again, who knows how true any of this is. Either way it’s hilarious. It totally sounds like the Ferguson that the media portrayed him out to be. I can’t imagine that Button will be getting Christmas cards from MLSE anytime soon.

The book sounds like a great read. I have yet to see if it is available on my Amazon Kindle. When I read it I will try to post a full review. I would love to hear more from others who have read it or who have planed to read it.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

- McCown is on vacation again this week, Rob Faulds is guest host
- open phones with Faulds in the first hour
- co-host at 5:05 is Jim Kelley
- Jeff Blair of the Globe & Mail on Usain Bolt and baseball
- Bob Nicholson of Hockey Canada on Olympic hockey jerseys
- Monday roundtable from 6:05 to 7:00 with Michael Grange

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

Bill Hayes Hosts:

510 – Dave Spadaro – philadelphia eagles.com

520 – Chris Kuc – chicago tribne covering US Camp

540 – AJ Montecinos – Y.E. Yang’s Caddy

620 – Pal Allen – Vikings PbP annoncer on Favre returning

TSM TAKE:

For reasons that only pertain to my drive home I am thrilled that summer is almost over. That means that Mccown’s and Brady’s everlasting vacations should be coming to an end rather soon. Mccown is off for another two weeks starting today and Brady is away too. Both shows just aren’t the same with either guy missing. I think Blair is a great guest and Nicholson talking Olympic jersey’s??? I am sorry, there must be morre. . I take Sekeres and or Blair over Kelley and Faulds any day and I think Grange is pretty good too. Hayes and Watters will need a very strong lineup to keep me interested. All and all it looks to me like I will be listening to something else on the drive up to Barrie this eve.

TSM