Land of the Leaf

Dave Feschuk has some interesting bits from Chris Bosh over at the Toronto Star today.  No, it has nothing to do with deadbeat dads or illegitimate children.

No surprise here as Bosh hints at his plans for 2010 when his contract expires.

“(When) I signed a three-year (extension in 2006)… I had a goal in mind, and that was to put myself in the best position (in 2010) … I’m thinking I just want to stick to my goal, stick to what I was doing…  That’s a part of the plan … I just want to address things (after) next season. There’s a reason why I did things the way I did them back then.”

Bryan Colangelo I assume is busy shopping Bosh to the highest bidder.  At least he fucking better be.

Later this afternoon we’ll take a closer look at the upcoming Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints/Jays series.  You can expect us to probably drool a little over Roy Halladay and wear pants that fit a bit loose in the crotch area.

For now here’s a set of links to some good posts:

Brian Burke Goes Bananas On Watters Show

Oh man, this is too much.  There’s links to the audio piece at the end of the post, check it out.  Is the media getting to Burke, or is it the other way around?

Jaworski Says Trent Edwards Will Be Tremendous

And if that doesn’t quite work out there’s always the option of becoming a wrestler as Tremendous Trent Edwards.

Mock NBA Draft

Am I the only one who wants to see DeJuan Blair as a Raptor?

Alvin Williams A Raptor Again

Williams is joining the team as an assistant coach, show me Charles Oakley and I’ll start to believe.

Michael Bourn Nuts Himself

Bahahaha, ouch!  (bumps to Bugs and Cranks)

Chris Bosh said he had a big announcement to make.  I’m reluctantly assuming that this was the big announcement:  “Chris Bosh signs with Warner Music Canada”.

From Inside Hoops:

Chris Bosh, NBA All-Star and six-year veteran of the Toronto Raptors, has entered into an agreement with Warner Music Canada to produce a unique DVD and CD to be released in the fall of 2009. Chris Bosh is also thrilled to announce that he has become the first athlete in the world to launch his own application for iPhone and iPod touch on the Apple App Store.

The material on the as-yet-untitled DVD will be based on the original comedic characters Bosh has developed over the past two years in a series of hilarious video clips posted on the internet. The DVD program will also include a tour of Chris’ life in Dallas (giving fans an insider look at the path that brought him to NBA stardom).

Seeing that he signed with Warner Music Canada, does that mean he has plans to sign long-term in Toronto?

Damn Yankees
Tuesday’s baseball game was awesome, last night not so much.  Andy Pettitte didn’t have his best stuff, but that didn’t matter.  The Blue Jay bats couldn’t get shit going against him.  That heavy-set left hander with all the money takes the mound today and we’re countering with Brian Tallet.  Here’s hoping that the pern-stache can top the Hamburglar.

I don’t like to make rash decisions based on one performance, but I’m kinda over Scott Richmond right now.  Regardless, great story on Richmond from Ian at The Blue Jay Hunter.

Rethinking the NBA Finals, Got A Love Buzz for Jay Triano
Took in what I could of the Nuggets-Mavs series and all I can say is that the Nuggies have a legitimate shot at making the finals.  The hell with a Kobe vs. Lebron NBA Finals match-up, Carmelo vs. Lebron has got a lot more intrigue.  Follow the Nuggets’ quest over at Dunking Nuggets with my man Bryan Douglass.  I’ll take any excuse I can get to post a throw-back Raptors picture:

Speaking of the Raptors, Raptors Republic has an overview of the players that have worked out for the team thus far.  None of the names immediately jump of the screen, but we still don’t know what our draft position will be so no reason to get worked up yet.

Yours truly talked about the Jay Triano signing with Mr. Douglass of Fanball.com and the “Statsman” Paul Bruno on last night’s Statsman Show.  I’ll post a link when the file is available, but I can tell you that we’re all happy with the move.  (Link is up.  You can download it here:  Statsman Podcast Archive.  We go Triano around the 1:40 mark.)

Toronto FC and the Lone Goal Complacency
Chad Barrett scored the lone TFC goal last night, and that’s all they needed to defeat the Montreal Impact 1-0.  Toronto FC is getting too comfortable with the 1-0 victories.

Obligatory East Coast Chest Pump
If you read my own Hockeyhead blog (and you fucking better), then you’d know that I’m a big Sidney Crosby supporter.  I’m sorry, Ovechkin is a great player too but he’s sorta greasy.  Simeon VarLAMov has got a wonky glove-hand and the Penguins exposed it.  My boy Eyebleaf is coming around on Sid the Kid, and pretty soon you will too.

Rafer Alston has had a few run-ins with the law.  He’s been arrested three separate times that I can think of off the top of my head.  He sure has made some bone-head plays on the court in his career too.  He continued his dominance of idiocy on Wednesday night during Orlando’s loss to the Celtics.  He actually pimp slapped Eddie House in the back of the head.

Wow, I love me some trash talk, and I even loved Jason Richardson’s ball-bounce off of Carlos Boozer’s head, but that was in a rookie vs. sophomore’s game.  Having watched Rafer as a Raptor I can safely say that he’s now Orlando’s problem and not mine.

For good measure:

[Hat tip to Ball Don't Lie]

Toronto Raptors Dance Pak Booty Shorts

We’re doing an excellent job of lowering our standards of publication today.  [More booty pics at Blaze of Love]

Scott Richmond Earns Monthly Honour

Blue Jays’ starter, and good Canadian boy Scott Richmond was named the American League Rookie of the Month for April.  Nobody is happier than the Blue Jay Hunter.

Crazy Fan’s Flying Karate Kick at Yankees Game

More Hockey Teams In Canada… Keep Dreaming

Face it, Gary Bettman hates us.  From my very own Hockeyhead blog: What Does It Take To Land an NHL Franchise?

Maple Leafs Prospect Breaks Femur

Chris DiDomenico, aka the Leafs’ prospect that didn’t go to college, broke his femur when he crashed feet first into the boards.  DiDomenico is playing in the QMJHL for Drummondville who defeated Shawinigan 5-4 in last night’s game.  [NHL Rumours]

More Monster Jokes for McGuire

Keep them coming, although the biggest joke is McGuire himself.  I say go for it if you’re the Minnesota Wild, I’m sure the TSN panel will love breaking down McGuire’s transactions.  [Stay Classy]

Life After Leaf Fans

Leaf fans are a tough find during the playoff months, save for the odd goofball sporting a Sundin Leafs’ jersey in a Toronto pub while reluctantly cheering on the Vancouver Canucks (editor’s note: a Wellwood jersey would be more adequate to explain fans’ desperation in Toronto by showing that they once adored the fat nerd).  Now, imagine a world without Leaf fans year round, season after season.  Down Goes Brown dreams up a utopia… er, dystopia where Maple Leaf fans do not exist.

Stephen Curry… Toronto Raptor?

That’s the case over at Cuzoogle, at least according to the Hoop Doctors Mock Draft.  I for one don’t see Curry becoming an NBA superstar, or even a pseudo star like Shane Battier, but the Raptors will need a 2-guard with a sweet stroke because of the impending departure of Anthony Parker.  I’ve said it before, drafting a shooting-guard would be a good move.  Nothing is certain until the balls drain out… of the lottery machine.

Stephen A. Smith continues to be Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith was handed a microphone, and he said a lot of stupid shit with it.  Thankfully, ESPN eventually realized that and canned his outspoken, dim-witted ass.  Unfortunately, it hasn’t stopped Stephen A. from flapping his gums.  [Dead Spin]

Mike Tyson Still Fuckin’ Crazy

The first time I saw the leaked excerpts of Mike Tyson’s self-produced documentary, I’ll admit: I nearly came to tears from the sheer honesty on all aspects of his career, in the ring and outside of it.  If you’re a film critic, and not impressed by the documentary, then you best watch your back.  Tyson will “copulate, sexually, with your eye and nose holes”.  That’s not even the worst of it.  [Holy Taco]

Stealing Home Off Andy Pettite Is So 2007

Before Jacoby Ellsbury went and made stealing home on Pettite mainstream, Aaron Hill was pulling that shit “underground” in 2007.  Knuckle-bumps to The Blue Jay Hunter.

Big thanks to Land of the Leaf reader and friend Nick Bland for the doozy shot of the Turducken… the only thing better is a deep-fried turkey.

I was preoccupied with some on-air obligations last evening, but I remember seeing the Blue Jays down 2-0 to the Twinkies after the 1st inning last night.  I blinked an eye and checked in with MLB-TV (which is the closest thing to heaven on earth) and the Jays were destroying Minnesota 10-2.  By now, we all know that the final outcome was a 12-2 drubbing led by Aaron Hill, and that Scott Richmond notched his first victory of the season.

I had to settle for 16 replays of the highlights on The Score late last night, regardless of my lack of viewing, these Jays have statistically skewed their offensive numbers playing in domes.  It’s unlikely there will be enough rainy days in Toronto for the rest of the season to bring those numbers back to earth.  Playing so well in dimly lit shit-holes would make the transition to basement dwelling much more simple for Toronto, that is, if all you fuckers who wrote them off and had them finishing behind Baltimore had your way.

I’m getting the feeling that a Jays/Rangers series might include a lot of runs scored.  Sorry Baltimore, I love Omar Little, but you guys are dead.

Marion Shows Up For New Contract Audition

Shawn Marion, I loved your pre-Miami game and I don’t know what ever happened to all those stats you used to pile up.  Nevertheless, I noticed that you waited until the season finale to “throw-down” in hopes of a new lucrative contract this offseason.  Seriously, 15-of-18 from the floor?  Where was this kind of play when things mattered?  I’m not going to point fingers in hopes of comprehending the Raptors awful season, just blow it up.  Blow the whole fucking thing up.

Aside from being a die-hard Blue Jays fan, the professional sports scene in Toronto can get pretty depressing at times.  Then bam!  Hoop Heads North compiles a flawless Raptors video highlight package and asks you to vote on your favorite play of the season.  I do suggest you follow the link and view all 10 plays, and place your vote, but I thought I’d post video clips of the two plays that I’ll look back on and smile about.

We might look back someday and think, “wow, I forgot that Shawn Marion was a Raptor for 11 minutes”.  This clip of him posterizing Danny Granger reminded me of when The Matrix was flying high in the run-and-gun offense of Phoenix:

It’s sad when one of your standout players of the season came from the NBDL and he’s forced to question the work ethic of the “superstar” players around him.  I love Pops, but he should just let his play do the talking ‘cuz it can be intimidating at times.  I could do without Matt Devlin and his “big daddy with the flush” call though:

Luke Schenn: International Stud
Luke Schenn is going to the World Hockey Championships to play for Canada. Not bad for the 19-year old centrepiece to the Leafs’ rebuilding plans. Ian White will be joining the club as well, laying some serious ’stache on the competition I hope.

Top 10 Leaf Moments of 2008-2009
An excellent list with video clips from the always reliable Down Goes Brown. You know your season was a complete washout when the number one moment is the honouring of a former player’s number. Still, great list.

What’s That You Say? Cheaper Bills Tickets?
Using “challenging economic times” as an excuse so as not to admit that they’re bumbling idiots, greedy fucks Rogers Communications Inc. are cutting the average ticket price by 17% to this year’s Buffalo Bills game in Toronto. [TSN]

Bills Draft Approach: Win Now
With a plethora of top-end talent to come off the books in 2010 and again in 2011, the Buffalo Bills appear to be moving toward being competitive this coming season. They’ll be looking for rookies that can step in and contribute immediately, rather than stockpiling for the future. [Buffalo Rumblings]

Drunk Jays Fans New Podcast Available
Bart Given was a guest on the second DJF podcast of 2009, and a pretty good guest at that. I mean, he’s no Keith Law, but who is? Check it out.

Bryan Colangelo Rolls A Douby
B.C. and the Raptors have locked up Quincy Douby for the remainder of this season and for 2010 as well. You hear that? Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Quincy Douby are all free agents after the 2010 season.[Inside Hoops]