<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> If that is the case, it is the fans who deserve the credit. Without the fans, the Leafs would be nothing more than the Florida Panthers, a team with a nattily attired coach playing in a mostly empty building. So isn?t it about time the Leafs did something to reward those fans? And wouldn?t that be doubly true if MLSE were to make a profit in the process? The answer is simple. Dump that money-losing aggregation known as the Toronto Raptors. </div> Wow. Just wow. http://torontosun.com/Sports/2006/08/24/1773882.html
I could care less about the Loafs. Im from Toronto and I hate the Maple Leafs. They're garbage. My bet says Raptors win a title sooner than the Leafs do. And yeah, F*#@ MLSE anways lol. I wish I owned the Raptors instead.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">What do you expect, it's coming from a puckhead.</div> ... and the Toronto Sun. This dude deserves a swift kick in the ass.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Al, you know this. The teams operate as two separate businesses and the selling of the Raptors would not affect the financial viability of the Leafs in any way. As it is private operation, MLSEL does not release specifics on how much, if any, money the Raps lose. But consider this — the NBA signed a $4.6 billion US TV deal in 2002, worth approximately $765 million annually. The Raps receive a lot more money from TV than the Leafs ever will. What does each NHL team receive from that OLN package? A box of Sudafed and $37? Or has it reached the point where the NHL has to pay TV to televise their games? </div> Here is a rebuttal from Steve Buffery leafs v.s raptors
What an idiot.. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to break this to you Al, but the 1960s are over. The next time you’re back in Toronto, take a look around. This ain’t the Toronto I grew up in. (I was going to say the Toronto you grew up in, but you’re a Windsor boy).</div>
I don't know about you guys but I'm waiting for Al Strachan to come out of his cave. That article is laughably bad. I thick Feschuk writes better articles than that. I'm not even going to bother writing why the raptors aren't going to be sold because that's pretty clear. http://www.forbes.com/2005/09/28/forbes-sp...portsindex.html take a look at that graph. Click on the "NHL" in the top corner of the graph and click on NBA as well. Need i say anymore.
Al Strachan was on the Swirsky Show after this article came out.... don't know how that one ended, anyone wanna give a recap?
strachan is actually a widely read columnist in canada as well as a regular contributor to hockey night in canada, which is kinda of a honour here. however, this guys journalistic integrity has been questioned throughout his career, furthermore, he's a really wierd looking dude.
Chutney how can you hate the Swirsk? Hes a huge Raptors ambassador and loves T.O., plus is a really good guy. How can you hate him
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TORaptors bb4:</div><div class="quote_post">Chutney how can you hate the Swirsk? Hes a huge Raptors ambassador and loves T.O., plus is a really good guy. How can you hate him</div> Honestly, I dislike Swirsky with a passion. He's such a tool, just echoing the MLSE's stance on every basketball issue. If he gets challenged to think outside the box on an issue, he just shuts down the argument and acts like he's got to much integrity to dwelve into it. He should be a play-by-play announcer and nothing else. But, as this city has a dearth of quality basketball coverage, he just keeps getting promoted because he's a known figure and everyone loves those retarded catchphrases for some reason. Has anyone ever listened to his radio show before? Aside from booking good guests, he has no idea what he's talking about in any sport outside of basketball/baseball. And he has some of the most ridiculous topics and illogical stances on things. The Swirsk just gets the benefit of the doubt, because he's been with the team for a while, but I think our basketball market deserves a hell of a lot better. End Rant.
I agree with Chutney, he's a bit overrated and his commentating is a little iffy and repititive to say the least, but at least he's a passionate guy. Edit: Anyone else remember when Rob Babcock burned Chuck Swirsky? That was pretty funny. I think the Swisk is cool, but that signature is definitely cooler. High fives for everyone.
i'll agree to disagree with you guys. He is the ONLY broadcaster in all of the nba who has a daily blog for the nba team they broadcast for. I don't know what ur talkin about when you say his radio show is terrible, i listen to it everyday and love it, and he obviously knows a hell of a lot about ball, but also i find he can carry a good conversation with anybody on the show. I also really like how he does play by play with all of his enthusiasm, something that I like and think should be shown more by broadcasters, and he's definetely one of the top 10 play by play guys in the L. You guys probably haven't, but i've also met him and he's a great guy who really cares bout the Raps. Overall, I just think hes a great broadcaster and reprensentative for the Raps.
Really? He doesn't seem like he only knows the basic know-how of basketball, aside from a few random no-name old school players he'd name off during a game broadcast. He never really provides any in-depth analysis and usually relies on Leo or Jack to provide insight on what the hell the other team is doing. He does have a lot of passion and enthusiasm, but sometimes its over the top or unecessary. A simple two handed dunk and he'll flip out and go nuts, or he'd spout out some ridiculous line that makes no common sense whatsoever (eg. read Chutney's sig).
It's a matter of preference I guess. Some people like his enthusiasm and dedication. I appreciate his passion, but I think he's a gimmick. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hustler:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, I like Jack Armstrong better, and who's that guy who comes in for Chuck when he's away?</div>Paul Jones, I think? I know he does the radio play-by-play. I still think Eric Smith and Jack Armstrong are the best colour commentary in Toronto.
I met Jack Armstrong once, cool guy, and the guy really knows his basketball. I think that the reason Swirsk is so popular in Toronto is because he's been doing play-by-play for a long time and people have recognized with him and thus have gotten used to his style. Rob Black was way better when he was the play-by-play for TSN.
