I’m going to be talking to Jack Armstrong on Thursday and thought instead of asking him the same old lame questions which he answers every day I’d let you guys do the asking. You’ll probably come up with better questions anyway, so go ahead and fire away questions for Jack:
49 Raps
Why can’t teams defend the pick and roll? YOU SEE IT COMING YET YOU FUCK IT UP.
Hey Jack, I am looking for your perspective as an American working in Toronto. Much has been said and written about big name players not wanting to come to Toronto. Stephen A. Smith is just one of many “anti-Toronto” journalists and the question I have is: Why? Is it that it’s north of the border? Is it that there is so llittle information available about the city in the US that they feel they are coming in blind? I have been to other cities and while I enjoyed spending time in these other cities, when it comes to the whole NBA experience I have to believe that Toronto is a much better city to play than places like Milwaukee, Minnesota, Memphis and a few others. It is true that we Canadians have an inferiority complex because we feel like the ignored little sister when it comes to the USA but after all these years of Toronto being a major sports and media market, I don’t understand why there is still so much hesitation about playing here and why some journalists insist on keeping their stance on this city. Thoughts?
a) Most Americans are ignorant about everything outside their borders. And we’re talking about student athletes who aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed, so the ignorance is even more amplified.
b) NBA players would rather play for an American city because they think Toronto is some backwater town, when it’s actually light years better a city than half the NBA teams, which are in the true shithole towns.
Jack can you say some bad things about bad players on tv?
Why do you think Bryan Colangelo has mostly stayed out of the spotlight during the Raps dismal run this season? The only time we’ve heard from him was to shoot down Bosh rumors. What we, the fans, need to hear from him is that he understands how terrible things have been this season and he is working around the clock to fix it. By remaining silent it has made many people lose faith in him as a GM. I still believe he is a great GM and will turn this around but I think if he was more media-available to discuss this mess of a season, there would be less backlash from the fans. What do you think?
Ask him to rate the job Colangelo has done this season.
Ask him about O’Neal: 1) is he performing like he was expected too? 2) was he worth the investment? 3) would it be better to keep him or trade him?
Ask him who his favourite cheerleader is.
Jack, what is your definition of a franchise player? I believe a franchise player is not just someone you build around but someone that you want to get the ball to in any situation as well as someone who can change the momentum of a game. I do not believe Chris Bosh is any of these things but Vince Carter was all of them so if it was okay to trade Vince (although it was the worst trade in sports history) why is it not okay to trade Bosh now?
That’s a good one!
isn’t the simple answer ‘because of the vince trade?’
Heeeeellllllooooooo Jack!
Do you think the support of Raptors Fans have a bad case of Dr. Jackle Mr. Hyde OR do you think Fans calling out people is a good thing because people in the organization are too worried about their job?
Jack is awesome. Not shy to say what most won’t!
As a fan I might tune out the rest of the year and start watching a winning Canadian team. GO Flames GO!
Jackie, which team’s dance pack has the best choreography?
Jack, because you are the best colour commentator in the NBA, the worldwide Raptors fan community would like to honour you by making you the first honourary member of the Raptors Republic.
Congratulations! :D
We sincerely hope you remain with the team for the remainder of your broadcasting career.
Ask him his favourite post game drink after a loss, and after a win. And who his true favourite team is.
Good questions! ;)
How come those “Hello” T-shirts never went on sale. I thought they were awesome. I would have bought one for sure. Seems it be a good way to raise some dough for charity?
Jack, can you please tell me why I have a prolonging erection for Chris Bosh? I’m pretty sure I hate his guts, but every time I see him play or hear his name mentioned I get thing tingly feeling. I don’t know what it is.
Jack,
1) What was the most difficult adjustment you had to make, when converting from radio to television?
2) You obviously love your job. Besides basketball and family, what is your greatest passion?
3) With the assets the Raptors have, besides JO, who do you see as being the most moveable players at the trade deadline?
4) Which city in the NBA (besides TO) do you get excited to stay at?
Spudz
http://eclectic-indulgence.blogspot.com
How come the talent on this team equals to a NBDL team?
Every thing I ask is in question form? But why do the Raptors play bad? Maybe because the Cavs are just good? Bosh shouldn’t accept Lebrons hand when Lebron offers to help him up. But wouldn’t Lebron help Chris Bosh? Jose Calderon is known to miss free throws, and I’d be worried if he was ever at the line with the game hanging in the balance.
TJ Ford gave me good hineysechs one time. Alright? That’s why I hate JOSE!
Ask Jack to explain the difference between:
1. A “Screen” and a “Pick”.
2. When the Raptors give up dribble penetration to an opponent player in a Pick situation and it is the primary responsibility of [A] the on-ball defender versus when it’s the primary responsiblity of [B] the Picker’s defender.
HELLO Jack my question is looking ahead to the draft we all now that the Raptors need to get a wing player or two to be Anthony Parker’s replacement. What young prospects do you see that the Raptors should be looking at now and which one do you think would help the Raptors the most at the wing position?
Can you ask him how he would rate the basketball IQ on this team? And can you also ask if he thinks the team needs something similar to when the Raps traded for Oakley and Willis.
Hi Jack,
where can I find the best guinness in Toronto?
Jack,
If you were Bryan Colangelo, would you be working around the clock to onload Jermaine O’neal’s salary now, or would you keep him around until next year in what would amount to indicating that you have given this season up?
Or, If you were Bryan Colangelo, what specific names on the free agent market this year or next would you be heavily targeting while being realistic about your financial situation?
All teams go through funks be it a game, a week, or even a season, my question is as a Raptor fan and the team make up being what it is, what would be “smart expectations” for next season. If it was to stay status quo as far as the big 3 are concerned, because they are what makes the team run?
Jack, sometimes certain combinations of players work and sometimes they don’t. It is very hard to predict if a paper built team will play as planned when they hit the hardwood. Do GMs get so attached to their original vision that they’re afraid to blow it up?
In the Raptors’ case, you’ve got a team that simply doesn’t work. You have 3 quality seven footers on the floor and they still get crushed on the defensive and offensive glass. As a Raptor fan, I can tell you that I’m ready to watch this team get rebuilt in a highspeed Colangelo type of way using soon to be expiring assets. When does Bryan say “enough is enough”? His last interview indicated that he’s not there yet. If not now, then when? After a 10 game losing streak? 20? This team can’t compete at a first round playoff level, let alone anything further. One player change won’t do it. You’re looking at maybe three or four key additions to swing things. When does Colangelo pull the trigger?
Jack, who should be the next head coach of the Raptors? Isn’t about time these guys get a system to play in on both sides of the ball? It seems for a team with a huge lack in talent, we definately play a lot of “free lance” basketball …
Can you ask Jack whether he believes that the Raptors can succeed in the long term without a back-to-the-basket scorer?
This is my one major concern aside from rebounding about having Bosh and Bargnani being our frontcourt. rebounding can be fixed with a rebounding #3, but post-up? This one worries me.
Jack, being closer to the players than most fans are, could you shed some light on the current attitude and mindset of Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Jermaine and Calderon? Which ones have the desire to keep fighthing this season, which ones have mailed it in and which ones are just showcasing themselves?
With respect to Bargnani, what are the chances that he might be open to going to a different team when his contract extension comes up? I sure hope he is willing to stay in TO long term. Do you think Bargnani’s current production is here to stay or merely an abboration?
My Question To you Jack Armstrong Should Chris Bosh be traded or not ? in my opinion no CB4 should not be traded , but my guess is the Toronto Raptors need too add another Veteran Player who help win games & they need a quailty player , but we need to Trade someone O’neal , Jason Kapano & try get some good player in return. Hopefully Shawn Marion is our answer to the Raptors & maybe must try getting back Carlos Delpino.
Hmm anyway i hope a trade goes down soon
peace
Bernard
Jack, how do you stop yourself from popping Devlin in the mouth, after he breaks out the “Killer B’s” and the “J-Killa” nicknames on the broadcast?
HELLLOOO Coach, I was wondering what you would attribute to the less then stellar season the Raps are having. Is it more then one reason?
For instance fans tend to place blame on certain people such as coaches for different reasons, front office guys for different reasons and any given player on any given night.
My personal opinion is that the Eastern Conference is just better (this year). Atlanta, Milwaukee are surprising everybody this season, even Orlando to a smaller degree.
Thanks for all the years of great color commentating, you like Chuck if you leave will be missed be me and my son.
Ask Jack:
What do you think of the TSn2 issue??
Hey Jack, can you speak at all to the Raptors continual lack of toughness? I’m not opposed to the talks of trading O’Neal, but how are they going to address losing one of the only tough players on a team bereft of toughness?
What is the best way to focus on that “one” thing ex.free throw, clutch 3pt shot?
Is there a non-allstar player who would instantly make the Raptors a legitimate threat in the playoffs? Is there anyone like this who you would be targeting if you were BC?
Which city has the most rabid tribal honking fans .. and how does he rate Raptor fans at the ACC ..??!!!!
Jack- do you have any intentions of coaching again or are you content with the tv gig? You must still get an itch to coach from time to time.
Hey Jack. I honestly think that Chris Bosh is going to leave after next season. I just don’t see us putting enough good players around him over the next season. Do you think Atlanta would consider trading us Smith and Horford for Bosh and a 1st pick? If so, would you do the trade if you were the raptors GM?
Hi Jack,
Do you think that Bosh is a 123 Million dollar player? If the Raps do sign him for the max don’t you think the team will be in the same predicament as Minnesota when they had Garnett where they had a good 20/10 player but not enough money to create a supporting cast that has a chance of making a run for the championship?
Questions for Jack
1. In his opinion, the level of basketball IQ of the Raptor players from highest to lowest.
2. Does he think Rodney Carney would be a significant upgrade at the 3 if he were a Raptor?
3. Does he think Bosh could play center effectively in the NBA?
4. Does he think Hump should start over Barg’s and O’Neal?
5. Why did he stop coaching basketball?
6. Does he like Matt’s Devlins haircut?
OK, skip 3 and 4, I don’t want him to think we are idiots for asking.
Hello Mr. Armstrong,
I see you are being pummeled with questions, I hope mine is germane enough to warrant discussion.
Watching the Raptors play Cleveland the other night, I noticed a blatant travel by Lebron. The travel itself was inconsequential; as it occurred when Lebron caught the ball at the top of the three point line and then started to slowly walk to his right before passing the ball. He clearly stepped with his left foot which in this case was his pivot foot. It had no real affect on the play itself.
That being said, the fact that it wasn’t called irked me to say the least.
My question to you is: as someone who is much closer to the game than myself, do you ever find that you are concerned about the integrity of the game? Do you ever feel that a referees calls (or non calls) during a game can change the outcome of that game?
I really like #2 eh? Hope it gets asked!
Could JO microwave a burrito so that that not even he himself could eat?
err…. hot
Just 3 questions about Bargnani (and sorry for my english)
1) What do you think about his defence? (In a scale 1-10 )
2) Where he can improve? (shots, defence, pass, leadership,rebounding..)
And how much?
3) in a scale 1-10 (10 is the best Bargnani we can have in the next years) where is NOW Andrea?
What I would like to ask Jack is,
How much of the current Raptor issues relate to mental ability issues versus their actual skill set ability to play at a higher level?
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[...] and check back later for our interview with Jack Armstrong where we’ll try to ask as many of your questions. This entry was written by Arsenalist, posted on Feb 5, 2009 at 1:55 am, filed under Post-Game [...]