Media Day...

I've written a couple paragraphs in this space...
Right here, right now.

Only you wouldn't know it because I've deleted, and rewritten, different variations of the same theme a few time, trying to put an interesting spin on Media Day.

The problem is, there's very little of interest.

Essentially, what it is: All the players gather in front of the media, do the hand-shaking, the one-on-ones, and talk about how great life is.

Life is always good when you're not losing, right?

Media Day is actually a good thing for someone like myself - a fan, hidden in a reporters body (a huge, hulking body at that).

After some quick conversations with fellow reporters, I joined a scrum surrounding Chris Bosh... while a lot of the talk with Bosh was surrounding what his role would be this upcoming season (on the court, and off the court), some of the chatter swayed to Andrea Bargnani.

Rafael Araujo, you'll remember, had some tough times dealing with the pressure of being such a high pick (8th overall, 2004). Chris, as you may know, was responsible for some of the Hoffa-coddling.

But with Andrea getting drafted first overall, the pressure would obviously be even greater.

Bosh's thoughts on how Bargnani would deal?

"It comes with the territory. He was drafted #1, and you know, he's going to have to deal with it. But it's not a bad thing. He just has to work hard. That's all he has to do, is work hard and play good basketball. If he's the number one pick on a winning basketball team, I think that'll hush the crowd a little bit."

Yeah, we all know winning hides all sorts of problems in the locker room. But how do you win when you've got 9 new players?? A new system, an unproven coach, and 5 guys who haven't played any reasonable minutes in the NBA.

However, despite all that, Coach Sam Mitchell doesn't really expect any growing pains with the Euros...

"Those guys have been professionals since they were 15, 16 years old... So they've been expected to carry themselves in a certain way, to conduct themselves in a certain way and to act in a certain way... and that's going to be refreshing. These guys are pros, they come to work. You know, they've been here working out for the last 2 and a half weeks, and the coaches and I just sit on the sidelines and just watch."

Apparently Sam was keeping in contact with the returning guys, as well... perhaps a little more so than he wanted to...

"They called me more than I called them in the summer time, which I laugh about... because if I don't call them back in a day, i get another phone call saying 'coach, you don't love me no more' and... it's refreshing, it's funny because, I never called coaches in the off-season. And these guys, you know, they call me on my birthday, they call me just to talk, because we haven't spoken in a couple of weeks... and I think I've got a good relationship with those guys, because we've been through some things together."

It's good that the players have his back, because if the results don't follow... Mitchell's going to be shown the door.

One of the new guys expected to make a positive impact... TJ Ford.
He's also got some lofty expectactions, after the Raptors traded away Charlie Villanueva to get him.

Ford's been in the playoffs every year since he was drafted by the Bucks, and while he says he definitely sees that streak continuing... he also understands that chemistry will be key:

"All the teams that have great chemistry go far. They're able to put on winning streaks. The teams that don't, have up and down seasons. I definitely want to put myself in the situation, where we have good chemistry right off the bat. I think that's why a lot of guys came in early, to get a good feel for each other, and build a relationship with all the guys, because we got a lot of new faces."

Freddy Jones, another newcomer, echoed that sentiment...

"I think everybody understands that we got a lot of new players... For us to hit the gate running, and win some games early... then it takes for us to come in a few weeks early to get to know each other. Otherwise, there will be a slow start to the season, which we can't get ourselves into that big of a hole."

The first month of the season is certainly no cake-walk, either... The Raptors start the season in the swamp, return home for 4 games... and then head west for a 9-day, 5-game road trip.

That could perhaps be one reason why Mo Pete doesn't want people creating unrealistic expectations... however, in one fell swoop... he sort of contradicts himself...

"I've been through a lot of different coaching changes, a lot of different general manager changes... I've been seeing a lot of players going through here... but I can definitely say that there's a big buzz going around this city, and around the NBA about this team, and we want to prove people right. We're going to have a more uptempo style... I think you can see us being a tougher team, a smarter team... and if we put everything together, and have guys on the same page... then we're going to make the playoffs... we're going to push for the playoffs."

No one would put a number on what would be deemed a successful season... but you'd have to think any improvement on a 27-win season would be warmly welcomed. The playoffs would create quite the atmosphere... one not seen in 4 years in this city.

So while we're looking for a lot from a new mix of guys... I'm looking for more from myself... and less problems with my internet, so I can get this stuff out quicker.

==
The Raptors are in Waterloo for the rest of the week, before bringing training camp back to the ACC.

Whenever I'm there, I'll bring you with me.

Season 2 for myself is quickly approaching.