Tag Archives: Toronto Raptors

Nov 26 2012

NBA Nation Australia’s Podcast Guide

NBA Podcasting. A relatively new idea that has been brought about as a result of the planet continuing to engage in evolving technology. A medium for fans to gain access to a world of information surrounding their favorite topics and one that basketball fans are extremely involved in. Fans aren’t just listening to podcasts, they’re also being actively involved in their production with some fantastic amateur shows available, some of which originate right here in Australia. Yours truly has given up listening to music on the trip to and from work in exchange for NBA Podcasts and find a wealth of knowledge within it. There is something special about listening to a variety of different opinions and views on topics surrounding the game we love and podcasts are the ideal way to do that.

We at NBA Nation decided that as this ever evolving medium continues to grow and fluctuate, it becomes more and more important for people to become involved with podcasts. So, we’ve decided the best thing to do is provide our readers with a guide to six of the better podcasts out there including links so you can access and be a part of one of the fastest growing journalism avenues in the NBA stratosphere. In no particular order, this is NBA Nation Australia’s Basketball Podcast Guide. Enjoy!

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Oct 11 2012

NBA Nation Australia’s Preseason Previews: Part 6

Welcome to NBA Season Previews Part 6! Today, we take a look at the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors. We’re getting close to opening night, make sure you’re up to date with your team’s preview!

Milwaukee Bucks

How will they do?

It can’t have been that much fun to be a Buck’s fan over the last couple of seasons. They certainly didn’t have bad seasons, but inconsistency hurt them when it counted and they just missed out on a playoff spots. I have a feeling that 2013 will take a similar path. The east is getting tougher across mid table teams. But, the Bucks certainly have the talent to prove me wrong. Without a doubt, the Bucks have one of the most explosive back courts in the game with Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, who now with a solid off-season together should be able to gel and cause some issues for opposition defenses. They are undersized though. The trade for Ellis took away one of the leagues best big men in Andrew Bogut, but they have replaced him with Samuel Dalembert, who may not be at the same level as Bogut, but has the experience and size to make a difference. The Bucks also have a couple of wild cards in Luc Mbah a Moute, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie John Henson. Mbah a Moute in particular is a beat on the defensive end and if he can add another dimension to his offense, i can see him making a big difference to this team. If the Bucks are to make a serious run at the Eastern Conference finals a few cards need to fall their way.

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Jul 5 2012

Nash a Laker? STEVE NASH: FREE AGENCY WATCH

UPDATE:  10:37am AEST – Reports circulating Nash has done a sign & trade and will be sent to the Lakers.

In the Nash sign-and-trade, the Suns will get 2013 & 2015 first-round picks and 2013 & 2014 second-round picks.

While it may not be the circus that Dwight Howard created with his trade request, the Steve Nash trade talk, rumor mill and hear say could certainly be compared with a Merry-Go-Around.

Since Free Agency opened 5 days ago and teams were once again given the green light to talk trades with each other, the question of where Steve Nash, a 2 time MVP and perennial All Star will end up has been a  favorite topic among fans online and NBA Journalists.

We all knew that Steve Nash was as good as gone from the Suns. A team he had given 12 All Star quality years to (he also spent 7 season with the Dallas Mavericks), but where will he end up?  That’s the sticking point.

4 teams have been chasing Steve Nash in the last week. Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks have all come out and openly expressed their interest in signing Nash for his twilight years. 3 of those teams are contenders and can offer Nash that sparkling carrot he desires…a possible championship. One might expect this an easy decision then, but then you would be forgetting one key aspect of all of this. Steve Nash is Canadian.

The Toronto Raptors are the only Canadian team playing in the NBA. Since their inaugural season in 1995, the Raptors have never really been able to stamp any sort of authority on the game. In their 17 years, the Raptors have been to the playoff only 5 times, making it out of the first round just once. This record is certainly not what they are using to entice a player like Nash.  Steve Nash isn’t going to win a championship if he goes to the Raptors. But he will win the love and respect of an entire country.

If Nash chooses Toronto, he will become the face of the franchise and a national hero. He will be remembered as the guy who put country and pride before a ring.

A quick breakdown of what each team can offer Nash:

TORONTO – National Hero, the face of the franchise and the chance to leave a lasting legacy with a team that desperately needs him. Oh, and a 3 year $36Mil offer. No other team can really offer him this sort of money and there is a big chance that Nash will be in a Raptors jersey soon

NYK – The starting Point Guard. A chance to tame the beasts and bring some cohesion to a team with 2 stars in desperate need of a general, and most importantly, a shot at the title. Nash also lives in New York City, so he wouldn’t have to move far. If it’s not going to be Toronto for Nash, I can’t see him going any other than the Knicks.

LA LAKERS – The starting PG spot. The opportunity to play with Kobe and a quality young center in Bynum. A shot at a title and, um…the chance to play with Kobe??? Honestly I don’t see this happening. It would be great for the Lakers, but Nash has consistently battled the Lakers for 17 years now. You could say that the Lakers are his grand nemesis and I doubt he could swallow his pride and pull on the purple and gold.

DALLAS MAVERICKS – Starting PG, a chance to team up with best mate Dirk Nowitzki and help develop and rebuild the franchise.  I feel though that Steve Nash has already been there, done that with Dallas and whilst a return to the Mavs would be a coup, it would only be for Dallas. Nash’s eyes are elsewhere.

We are 5 days into Free Agency and Trade and all thought the Nash debate would be quickly settled, but it’s sticking around. However, it’s getting very close to wrapping up.

Over night (Australian time) it was reported that Nash has decided, and he wanted the Knicks, leaving his country men and the Raptors to ponder what could have been.  The Raptors GM even went on record to say “We gave it out best shot”. But all is not as it seems and no official announcement has been made by anyone. Game is still very much on.

Deep breath now everyone…

NBA Nation Australia will keep you all updated as news comes to hand on the Merry-Go-Round that is the Steve Nash saga. Keep an eye on @nbanationoz for all breaking news and we will update the website once Nash tells us what he wants to do.

May 17 2012

RUMOUR MILL ON LIN-SANITY MOVE HOTTENS UP!

As the 2011-12 NBA season creeps ever so closer to an end, the rumour mill of moves & trades begins to warm up as usual.

The whispers gathering most momentum seem to be mostly about Jeremy Lin.

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