Vancouver Metro Basketball League

Sonic Boom (3-2) 91 – Team Ice (1-4) 87
Sonic Boom held off a strong effort from Team Ice backed by an astounding 49 points from Igor Dutina, who poured in 36 of those in the second half when the Boomer`s needed it the most. Ice, running with a very small squad, spread the floor with quick ball movement and great team speed to keep the game close throughout. Gunning off an early second half 19-10 run, Ice held a six point lead with 14 minutes left, but that`s when Dutina took off. Dutina single-handedly brought his Boomer squad back in the game with an array of buckets including six threes-three of them coming late in the second half. Ice had little to contain Dutina and found themselves in foul trouble in the dieing minutes. Sonic Boom took advantage of Ice being in the penalty and iced the game in the final minute with Dutina hitting four of six clutch foul shots to seal the deal, easily the best one of the night.

Canada One (5-0) 105 – SWAT (3-2) 92
The Canada One machine keeps on rolling after an impressive win over a highly skilled SWAT team. Canada One`s outstanding point guard Randy Nohr was the star of the game dropping a game-high 34 points and countless fast break dimes which was the demise for SWAT. Under-maned for the second straight week, SWAT made the best of their efforts in the first half holding a slim lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the half. The short bench was too much for SWAT as Canada One just kept pushing the ball in transition which killed SWAT`s chances in the second half. Canada One`s young star Clayton Crellin put down 27 while Navi Sekhon poured in 22. The SWAT squad displayed a balanced attack with forward Nic leading the way with 39 points-playing the entire second half with four fouls. Nedim Malushaga scored 21 on some solid outside shooting while big-man Sherlan Long dropped a tough 20 points in a losing affair.

Heart,Hustle & Soul (5-0) 108 – Vancouver United (2-3) 71
Fueled by 28 points from sensational swing-man Jason Boering, 24 from lights out three point shooter Brent Charleton and 20 points from the always steady Mark Tasic, H.H.S. put on a display of how to play team basketball with a very big win over Vancouver United. Boering dominated the early stages of the game dropping 25 of his 28 points in the first half. H.H.S. were running the ball in transition and making their shots when they had them, taking a commanding 62-43 lead going into the break. United, who play balanced team ball themselves just never could find a rhythm. Vlado led the way for United with 19 points but was ice cold in the second half. United also got 17 from AJ and 16 from Kerri Westmore, but it just wasn`t enough as H.H.S. cruised to the easy W.

Bullets (3-2) 86 – Velvet Hoop (2-3) 60
This was a very close game at half time with the Bullets clinging to a slim five point lead at the break. The Bullets jumped out on a 12-4 run to start the second half and didn`t hold up. Ben Lee and Jamie R. led the way for the Bullets dropping 15 points, while Chris Horwood was the games high scorer with 18 for Velvet Hoop.

3D (3-2) 80 – Ballhawgs (0-5) 50

EA Sports (2-3) 108 – Team Nike (1-4) 55

Velvet Hoop (2-2) 57 – Team Nike (1-3) 41

Bullets (2-2) 89 – Ballhawgs (0-4) 61

Canada One (4-0) 108 – Sonic Boom (2-2) 93

3D (2-2) 80 – Team Ice (2-2) 61

Heart, Hustle & Soul (4-0) 96  – EA Sports (2-2) 83

SWAT (3-1) defeat Vancouver United (2-2) *Sorry no score available*

Last night I covered the Suns and Blazers game for CKNW 980. This was my first time ever covering an NBA game, as there aren’t many NBA games happening around Vancouver now-a-days thanks to Scrooge himself, Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley.
What you will read below is an in-game blog of the events happening around me and the game itself, which at times was secondary, especially in the end.
Enjoy.

6:35 I arrive to GM Place and get to gate 9 where the media enters. Find myself wandering around the bowels. I come across the media room where I see a buffet of food, so I grab a nice hearty plate of pasta. As I go to sit down the attendant asks me my name, to which I reply. He looks over his list and advises me its $10 to eat. Guess I don’t qualify for a free meal. Rookie.

6:50 I take my seat right behind the basket where the Blazers are warming up. This media thing really has its perks.
I’m told by the guy next to me that the food is never free and that all the media pays for it. Guess I do qualify.

6:54 The national anthems are sung but the guys go back to shooting. Kind of strange to not start right after.

7:04 Trail Blazers new point guard Andre Miller grabs a ball that’s bounced up on my table. Dudes hair is all out of wack. He looks like a homeless guy I gave change to earlier in the day. Miller asks if we’re scouts, to which I reply “ya we’re from the Raptors. We’re looking to trade Jose Calderon for you.” He gets a chuckle out of that.

7:12 Steve Nash hits the Suns first basket with a nice cross over to fade away jumper. Crowd goes bananas. If the NBA was to ever come back to Vancouver, it would have to involve him in some capacity.

7:19 Brandon Roy with nice behind the back dribble into the lane making a tough finger roll. Outside of Kobe Bryant, is Roy the best two guard in the league? Very well could be.

7:26 Amar’e Stoudemire and Nash connect on a screen and roll for a Amar’e dunk. Greg Oden answers back with a dunk of his own from a beauty Roy pass.

7:36 Oden goes to the line for two. Crowd starts chanting “Ohhhhhhdennnnn!”. Their giving it to the 84 year-old looking 21 year-old. Very pro Suns crowd.

7:40 At the end of the first Q it’s 36-25 Blazers. Good game so far. Nice pace. Brandon Roy has been lighting it up early.

7:43 During a time out the Suns dancers kneel down in front of me. Its a rough job, I know.

7:55 I get handed the first quarter stat sheets to see Roy’s got 17 points (3 for 3 from three) 3 rebounds and 3 assists. How’s that for a first quarter?!

7:57 Amar’e dunks on Blazers center Joel Przybilla to knot the game up at 49. Suns making a run while still running some of their starters. The Blazers have turned to the their bench and they haven’t been too good.

8:03 TV time out. The cameras have caught a few of the Canucks who are sitting courtside. Big cheers for Alex Burrows, Willie Mitchell and Ryan Kesler when they show them on the jumbotron. When the camera goes on Mason Raymond no one cheers till they put a graphic with his name on it. Guess nobody recognizes the young Canuck just yet. Too funny.

8:07 Rookie Earl Clark checks in for the Suns. Really like this kid. Has the potential to be a good NBAer.

8:08 Clark gets his first bucket off a nice feed from Nash. Like I said, I like this kid.

8:11 Seven seconds left in the half. Miller tries to take Jared Dudley one on one to no unveil. Blazers take a slim 59-55 lead to the locker room. Suns have a much better second quarter. Blazers reserves getting it taken to them.

8:32 The second half starts and the Blazers have their starters back in. Much better unit then their reserves. LeMarcus Aldridge looks like he’s been working on his 18 footer cause he’s nailing it from the outside. Even tries for a three, though misses.

8:35 Nash gets his ball blocked by Oden that is clearly goaltending. Crowd gets rowdy. Steve gives it to the replacement ref. Can’t really write what Steve had to say, but he wasn’t congratulating the ref on his blown call I can tell you that.
Blazers up ten 71-61 half way through the third quarter.

8:46 One of my favs on the Blazers, second year point guard Jerryd Bayless checks in. Really like Bayless. Loads of potential though he’s buried on the Blazers bench behind Steve Blake and Miller. Curious to see if the Blazers shop Bayless around this year. Could get them a piece they may need down the road.

8:55 The third quarter wraps up with the Blazers ahead comfortably 89-73. Blazers starters played basically the whole Q.

8:58 Suns mascot The Guerrilla puts on a great dunk exhibition with a spring board much to the fans delight. I try to coax the guy next to me to run out and do a dunk of his own. He refuses.

9:02 The reserves in for both teams to start the fourth. First look at Taylor Griffin the brother of first overall pick Blake Griffin. Taylor’s first shot he connects on. Suns still down big though, 96-75.

9:10 My boy Earl Clark hits a nice runner and is fouled for an and one. Getting into garbage time as the Blazers are still holding a large lead.
Crowd starts chanting “we want Nash. ” Amare tries to get him up, but Nash chooses to sign his shoes and toss them into the crowd. He’s done for the night just as his Suns are.

9:23 The Suns bench playing scrappy. Alando Tucker with a nice couple of drives. Reserves doing their best but running out of time.

9:26 Time runs out. Sold out crowd give their appreciation.
113-93 Trail Blazers.

After the game I waited around the media room for Steve Nash’s press conference to start. Steve took awhile so I decided to go to the Blazers locker room to get a quick chat with Brandon Roy. Great guy who’s real well spoken. Brandon explained that he feels his team has what it takes to be a contender, wonders why Vancouver doesn’t have a team, and that he would gladly play here if he had the option.

CLICK HERE—->Brandon Roy Raw

I quickly got out as Nash was about to start his presser. I ran into Jerryd Bayless in the hallway for a quick chat, then quickly into the media room to chat to Nash.

10:12 Nash’s press conference is over and now he’s talking to a crowd of a few hundred that have stuck around to see him. Steve’s answering questions from the crowd. Total nice guy going out of his way to please his hometown fans. Is there a better pro athlete from Canada for kids to look up too? I think not. Pure class. The modern day Wayne Gretzky in terms of being a sports figurehead from Canada.

Overview
Well it is just a preseason game, but this one was won by the Blazers starters who are much better than the Suns starters. The Blazers have one of the youngest teams in the league but are very deep and very good. The Suns on the other hand are in a bit of rebuilding phase. Nash is locked up for this year and next, but Amar’e is destined to head elsewhere come the 2010 off-season.
Jason Richardson is there but outside of him, Grant Hill and Leandro Barbosa the rest of the team is young. Looks as if there may be some lean seasons in Phoenix unless they use the money that comes off the books from when Amar’e leaves to sign someone of significance. Time will tell. The Blazers will be in the playoffs, that is a guarantee. With Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge locked up in long-term contracts, look for this team to remain as one the beasts of the west for many years.

Game Stats:

Points:
Portland – Brandon Roy (22)
Phoenix – Steve Nash (14)

Assists:
Portland – Steve Blake (7)
Phoenix – Steve Nash (7)

Rebounds:
Portland – LeMarcus Aldridge (9)
Phoenix – Taylor Griffin (5)

Pecentages:
Portland – FG (48.8) 3P (41.2) FT (81.5) REB (50)
Phoenix – FG (46.2) 3P (31.3) FT (76.2) REB (28)

Vancouver United (2-1) 70 – Sonic Boom (2-1) 68
United’s sharp-shooter Hardeep sent Sonic Boom home with a last second buzzer beater that sealed the win for his squad in what was the most exciting game from Week Three. With just under five seconds to go with the game locked at 68, United brought the ball up the left-side of the floor when it was tipped and brought loose by a Sonic Boom defender. The ball bounced around before finding itself fall right into Hardeep’s hands, where he took it baseline and dropped a tear drop that hit as the sound of the horn went. Hardeep led United with 26 points including four three-pointers. Sonic Boom was led Igor Dutina who led all scorers with 27 points, in a losing effort.

Heart,Hustle & Soul (3-0) 102 – Bullets (1-2) 93
H.H.S. remain undefeated after an impressive win this past week. H.H.S. was led by the lights out shooting of Jason Boering who nailed six of his seven three-pointers in the first half, putting up a game high 35 points. The Bullets got a solid game from Ben Lee who dropped 25 of his own, 18 of them coming in the second half. The game was tight throughout the first half with H.H.S. clinging to a 55-52 lead at the break. The second half proved to be a different story with H.H.S. taking the game over, cruising to the nine point victory.

EA Sports (2-1) 74 – Team Ice (1-2) 52
EA get their second win of the season in a convincing 22 point victory over Team Ice. EA got a game high 29 points from Mike Baxter who was unstoppable throughout the night. Also contributing for EA were the Mahar brothers Matt and Mike who dropped 12 and 14 respectively for the winning side. On the Ice side, Jordan was the high-man with 10 points.

Canada One (3-0) 129 – Team Nike (1-2) 68
Clayton Crellan continues to strike fear into his opponents. The league’s leading scorer did major damage to Team Nike dropping 39 points in a lopsided affair. Nav Stuchon supplied 28 points of his own for the reigning champions who remain undefeated so far this year.

3D (1-2) 80 – SWAT (2-1) 70
3D got a balanced effort from their entire line-up beating a depleted SWAT squad who were without three of their starters. 3D took control of the game early and never relinquished the lead earning their first W of the season.

Velvet Hoop (1-2) 74 – Ballhawgs (0-3) 51
Velvet Hoop are in the win column with an impressive 23 point win over the Ballhawgs-formerly known as Cole Bernie. Velvet Hoop were led by Chris Horwood and Alex Jack who had impressive games.

By Andrew “Soda” Wadden

The 2009-10 NBA regular season is just right around the corner. The final games of the preseason are wrapping up and rosters are starting to get set. Looking at the movement from this off-season they’re many questions going into this season. Can Kobe and the Lakers repeat? Is Shaq the answer to the Cavs playoff troubles? Who is the true favourite?

With less than 10 days to go before the show begins, here’s my picks for the playoffs and whom I see taking this year’s title.

East

1.  Cleveland Cavaliers
Key additions -Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Parker
The Cavs are better with the addition of O’Neal which is scary considering they won a league high 66 games last year. Shaq of course makes the Cavs dangerous but I feel one of their best moves this off-season was the addition of former Raptor guard Anthony Parker, especially now since the recent troubles of Delonte West. AP will get some gorgeous looks from a driving and dishing Lebron or by the inside/outside game Shaq can create. Parker has proved in the past he can hit the opener looks and they will come aplenty this year. Question is do they have what it takes to win it all?

2. Boston Celtics
Key addition- Rasheed Wallace
If this team is healthy come playoff time watch out. The Celtics are on a mission and if the preseason is any indication of what’s in store, the rest of the East better be ready. There is probably no better place for power forward Rasheed Wallace to have gone then to Boston and its group of veterans. Sheed has gelled in the Celtics system in the preseason and will play a big role for the club this year. With Kevin Garnett healthy it’s not out of the question to see these Celtics return to the finals.

3. Orlando Magic
Key additions- Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams
I questioned the moves of the Magic this off-season. Allowing Hedo Turkoglu to walk was a mistake as I saw it. Carter will bring 20 points per game to this team but I question whether it be enough come playoff time. Bass will have a career year on a team that he should get more minutes with. Jason Williams returning to the NBA could go well for the Magic or not so well, hard to say. The reality is the Magic will once again win the Southeast Division and that’s all they’ll win.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Key addition- Jamal Crawford
The young Hawks are still young though the addition of Jamal Crawford brings some veteran savvy to the line-up. These Hawks are fun to watch and have some impressive players including the high-flying Josh Smith and the dynamic Joe Johnson. They will get plenty of scoring from Smith, Crawford and Johnson but their youth and inexperience will be their downfall when it comes to facing either the Celtics or the Cavs in a seven game series.

5. Washington Wizards
Key additions-Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Fabricio Oberto
Gilbert Arenas should be also mentioned as a key addition as he’s been gone from the Wizards for close to two seasons now. After a tough off-season getting his knee back to 100% Arenas is back and healthy ready to return to all-star form. The addition of lights out shooter Mike Miller gives the Wiz another threat from three. I really like the addition of Foye and Oberto. Foye will be a solid back-up to Arenas who is more than capable to run the offense and Oberto brings some strength on the glass and can score a bucket or two. The Wizard will return to the playoffs and will be the most improved team in the league this season.

6. Chicago Bulls
No key additions for the Bulls that I really see. The Bulls like the Hawks are young and getting better. Luol Deng is back after missing most of last season, young stud Derrick Rose is on the verge of becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA, while John Salmons is one of the most underrated guards in the league. These Bulls were terrific battling the Celtics to seven games in last year’s first round showdown and will be tough as nails for whomever has to tangle with them come this year’s dance.

7. Miami Heat
Key addition- Quentin Richardson
As I write this hopefully Richardson doesn’t get traded again, after a crazy off-season that saw him go from the Knicks to the Grizzlies, then traded to the Clippers, then to the Timberwolves before eventually getting dealt to the Heat. If he’s still with the Heat come the start of this season Richardson should see his scoring average raise on a Heat team that he’ll be a big piece of their offense. He’ll have to be, because outside of Dwyane Wade this club is scarce on the offensive end. Of course this team goes where Dwyane Wade takes them. They’ll be back in the playoffs but it will be for a short stay, no matter how hard Wade tries.

8. Toronto Raptors
Key additions- Hedo Turkoglu, Jarret Jack, Reggie Evans
The NBA’s most active off-season team are completely revamped but is it for the better? Yes they’re a better team with whom they’ve added but it still doesn’t completely address what they need the most, rebounding and toughness. Turkoglu will generate more offense, Jack gives them a solid back-up point guard who can also play the two and Evans brings what they lack the most, defensive toughness and presence on the glass. Problem is he’s the only one that brings this to the team. The Raps will return to the playoffs but will be exposed for their lack of rebounding and defence come the post-season.

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
Key addition- Ron Artest
Artest is a very interesting story for the Lakers this year. Will he be the out-of-control Artest or will he settle down and be the capable force he can be? If Artest can get his game in check and play Laker basketball this team is clearly the favourite once again. He is the key to this club returning to the finals for the their third year in a row.

2. San Antonio Spurs
Key additions- Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess
Love the addition of the very underrated Jefferson who makes the Spurs just that much more dangerous. McDyess will be key coming off the bench for this veteran club. This team is built for the playoffs.  Are they ready to return to the finals? Don’t count them out.

3. Denver Nuggets
No one really stands out as a key addition though I do like the drafting of point guard Ty Lawson who I think one day will be very good, especially under the guidance of Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets are stacked with a balance of scoring and toughness throughout their line-up. They gave the Lakers a good series in the West final last season and could very well find themselves there again this year.

4. Dallas Mavericks
Key addition- Shawn Marion
The Mavericks are always in the hunt and they have improved their line-up this season. No major moves just a little tinkering. Marion couldn’t have asked for a better situation for him. The Matrix proved at the end of the last season in Toronto that he has some spark left in his game. Marion will be another weapon for the Mavs on both offence and defensive end of the floor. The Mavs like their state rival Spurs are a veteran club who very well could take the West.

5. Portland Trail Blazers
Key addition- Andre Miller
The Western Conference’s young-guns are an exciting team who have all the right players to one day be an elite team. So much talent at such a young age is the Blazers Achilles heel. Adding veteran Andre Miller is an interesting move by Portland. Miller is a shoot-first point guard joining a team led by the shot-happy Brandon Roy. You would have thought that Portland would want a pass-first point guard to compliment Roy. Young-stars LeMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden make up a nasty post while Rudy Fernandez is a hell of a player. I like this team a lot as they’re a fun bunch to watch; unfortunately they won’t go very far this post-season.

6. New Orleans Hornets
Key addition- Emeka Okafor
Swapping the popular Tyson Chandler for Okafor is a good move by the Hornets. Obviously the team thought a shake-up was needed so they acquired Okafor from the Bobcats who should produce a solid double-double on most nights. With the way Chandler’s health has been over the last two seasons it’s the right move for the Hornets seeing as Okafor hasn’t missed a game over his last two seasons. The Hornets are far from the team they were a few season ago but will once again make the playoffs this year.

7. Utah Jazz
The Jazz’s key addition was matching the Blazers offer-sheet for power forward Paul Millsap. With their other power forward Carlos Boozer electing to not opt-out of his contract the Jazz now find themselves in the luxury tax and with two very good power forwards. Depending on what happens this season I can see the Jazz trading Boozer, giving them relief on their pay role. They may get little value from trading Boozer but I’m sure this is something they’re considering. You never know though, there may be a team that comes down with injury that drives Boozer’s value back up. Either way it goes down the Jazz make the playoffs once again though they won’t be round long.

8. Los Angeles Clippers
Key addition- Blake Griffin
Griffin is the only rookie that I will recognize as a key addition because in his case he is a key for this Clipper team. Griffin is the most NBA ready rookie and should make an impact for the Clippers. It’s hard to believe that the other team in L.A. will be the playoffs but this team actually looks as though they can compete. A healthy and determined Baron Davis will be the main key to the success of this club. If B-Diddy can return to his all-star form the Clips are a lock for the eighth spot in the West. They’ll have the Suns and Rockets nipping at their heels, but I see the Clippers pulling through and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Eastern Conference Champion- Boston Celtics

Western Conference Champion- Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Champion- Los Angeles Lakers

I have a hard time seeing anyone beating L.A. Artest makes them better and having Kobe Bryant as a teammate will keep Artest in check and focused on winning. The Celtics will do their best to contend but its back-to-back titles for the Lakeshow and another ring for Kobe and crew.

Canada One (2-0) 113 – Vancouver United (1-1) 105

Week two and it’s another edition of the Clayton Crellan show for Canada One. The 19 year-old was on fire dropping a ridiculous 58 points including six three-pointers, leading the way for the reigning champs over the five-man squad that United floored.
With zero bench to pull from United made a valiant effort by simply keeping pace with Canada One’s scoring. United were led by Hardeep with went deep often producing 32 points including five three-pointers. Big-man Kerri Westmore gave United 32 of his own, well Miro did his part dropping 23 in a losing cause.
Canada One got another sensational game from point-guard Randy Nohr who put down 19 points and a number of assists. Howard Kelsey also scored 19 points helping Canada One remain perfect two games in.

Sonic Boom (1-1) 80 – 3D (0-2) 76

On paper you wouldn’t have coined this game as the game of the night but this was the most-entertaining game of the week. Sonic Boom got out the gate running led by the hot-hand of Igor Dutina who scored 15 of his 25 points in the first half helping Sonic Boom take a commanding 49-38 lead to the break. 3D came out in the second half on a mission, scoring on their first six straight possessions going on 14-5 run that cut Sonic Boom’s lead to just two 54-52. The Boomer’s then went on a 10-4 run of their own, lead by point-guard Lonzell Webster who was dropping dimes all over the place while scoring eight of his 15 points in the second half.  3D did their best to hang on getting a strong 30 points from Jason Hubbs, but they never could take the lead. Sonic Boom walks away with it’s first victory of the season in a hard fought and well-played affair, while last seasons finalists 3D are still searching for their first W.

Heart, Hustle & Soul (2-0) 81 – Velvet Hoop (0-2) 78

H.H.S. showed they got soul with a very impressive come from behind victory, keeping them undefeated after two weeks of play. Down 34-29 at the half, H.H.S. stormed back led by Mark (22 points) and Bryson (20 points), taking the lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the game, and not relinquishing it, taking the 81-78 win in another epic finish during week two action.

SWAT (2-0) 69 – EA Sports (1-1) 62

SWAT remain unbeaten with their most impressive performance so far this season. Sparked by the return of captain Mark Starkey, SWAT got a balanced effort from the entire line-up holding off a strong effort from a very tough EA squad. SWAT’s big men Andrew Sturgeon and Sherlan Long were strong on both ends of the floor, while EA was led by Xavier product Mike Baxter. who was the lone consistent for EA on the night.

Bullets (1-1) 82 – Team Ice (1-1) 62

Team Nike (1-1) 62 – Cole Bernie (0-2) 50

Posted by Gracelle Bonifacio on Oct 4th, 2009

As shoppers made their final purchases, and stores geared up to close, there was still a heavy kind of rumble happening at the heart of Vancouver’s Shopping District. With velvet rope securing the entrance for exclusive guests only, and heavy beats being spun by Vancouver’s resident DJ Hustle, Nike Robson was alive with an eclectic assortment of Vancouverites celebrating the 3rd season for the Vancouver Metro Basketball League. The crowd embodied the “swoosh” culture and energy, sporting their illest, smoothest, flashiest and LOUDEST sneaks.

As guests mingled amongst one each other inside, the energy spilled onto the streets as late night shoppers and guests huddled to get their hands on their own custom made air brushed tees. The amalgamation of great music, raw street wear, and a crowd that gave much respect to each other (AND their shoes), represented the culture and vision of the Vancouver Metro Basketball League perfectly. Eager to introduce the movement of Varsity Street Ball to Vancouver, Commissioner Mark Starkey created the League to expose only the best and finest ballers of the Lower Mainland. With DJs spinning tracks during League games and with players leaving their hearts out on the court, Vancouver Metro Basketball League will easily quench the thirst of those B-ball fans still crying over the Grizzlies moving to Memphis.

By Andrew “Soda” Wadden

I had an opportunity this summer to sit down for a few minutes with Raptors Head Coach Jay Triano. The interview took place on Canada Day at Nat Bailey Stadium just before was Jay was to toss the first-pitch at the Vancouver Canadians game. We spoke about the Raptors European influence, being the first Canadian-born NBA head coach, and his (then) newly-acquired draft pick Demar DeRozan.

Click the link to hear the interview.

Jay-Triano-Canada Day 2009

The 2009 Vancouver Metro League Fall season got under way last night at Vancouver College . Opening night was a great success with some very competitive games. Here’s the results from week one.

Heart, Hustle and Soul 93 – Team Nike 68

H.H.S. squad took control of the game right from the tip. Led by Mike Tasic, H.H.S. used some nice passing and some hot shooting to keep Team Nike from making any significant run. H.H.S. led the game 54-41 at the half and kept the peddle to the floor in the second half, easily walking away with the 93-68 victory.

EA Sports – Sonic Boom

EA got out the gate running going on an 8-0 run to start the game. Sonic Boom came out flat tossing up three air-balls in a span of two minutes. The boys did make a run late in the first half, cutting EA’s lead to 12, but that’s as close as they would come. EA went to the break with a 41-26 lead and kept the pressure on in the second half.  Led by studs Mike Baxter and Matt Mahar-who were hitting from everywhere throughout the game-EA cruised to the easy victory.

Canada One 109 – Cole Bernie 67

Though this was a blow-out it was actually a close game in the first-half. The defending champion Canada One team was a little sloppy to start the game, making some ill-advised passes, helping Cole Bernie to hang around, with Canada One clinging to a five-point lead 42-37 at the half. Cole Bernie squad came out flat in the second half, killing themselves with turnovers which led to many fast-break points for Canada One. Former Kitsilano Blue Demon stand-out, 19-year old Clayton Crellin was the star of the game for Canada One, with numerous dunks, getting to the hoop with ease. Randy Nohr was his usual self, dropping dimes all over the place setting up his new teammate Crellin for easy buckets. When the dust had settled, Canada One walked away with the 109-67 win.

Vancouver United 80 – 3D 70

This game was close throughout. United were able to create some separation with a 7-0 run with just under six minutes, after 3D had cut the lead to one just under the 10 minute mark. United used some strong defense and good use of controlling the glass to hold on in the end, taking the 80-70 win over last-seasons finalists.

SWAT 70 – Bullets 65

This was the closest contest of the night. SWAT without their captain Mark Starkey were led by Chris Peerless who had a great game, slashing to the hole and hitting outside jumpers helping SWAT take a 44-30 lead going into the second half. The Bullets chipped away throughout the second half, shaving SWAT’s lead to two with a minute to go, but SWAT would prove to be too much for the Bullets, as they weathered the Bullets storm, to take the 70-65 win.

Ice 69 – Velvet Hoop 57

Ice was down 35-31 at the half, but the second half proved to be their turning point. Ice got a balanced effort throughout their line-up to come from behind to take the 69-57 win.