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The 20th anniversary of a dream starts on Wednesday. In 1995, Canada was awarded two franchises in the National Basketball Association. Unlike the ancient Velociraptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies, the Toronto Raptors have survived growing pains, rough times, player defections and fan apathy. Today, the Dinos are thriving, pushing the threshold of franchise success even higher and basketball, not only in the T-Dot, but all across the Great White North, and has new life at virtually every level. The hosts of TSN 1050 Radios #1On1 with Will & Duane, Will Strickland and Duane Watson give up the goods on hoops above the 49th Parallel: beginnings, endings and everything in between. As the sun sets on the career of the greatest Canadian basketball player of all time, the buzz and excitement for what starts this season for former #1 draft picks and other Canuck young guns who now mark the face of the game is palpable. Canada basketball is here to stay! Today is the tomorrow you should have feared yesterday! Rio 2016 Olympics Will Include The Canadian Mens National Basketball Team. Strickland: After a summer tour of testing their international resolve against some top teams in Europe, Basketball Canada will now have to get strong commitments from the top young stars who were not with the team. Youth, ability and full program buy-in from Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Ennis, Nik Stauskas and Anthony Bennett will have to be blended in a hurry with vets Tristan Thompson and leading scorer, the newly minted NBA champion PG Cory Joseph, amongst others, to have a real shot at representing the Red, White and Maple Leaf in Brazil. Watson: After missing out on the 2014 World Cup, Canada Basketball will ensure it has a full complement of homegrown talent at its disposal to qualify and compete in Brazil. All the young talent will have had a chance to mature; the key will be getting that international experience. A lineup of Wiggins, Ennis, Bennett, Stauskas, Olynyk, Thompson, Joseph, Powell, Pangos, Nicholson and Lyles among others, definitely moves the needle. Kelly Olynyk Will Be A Surprise Standout Canadian In The NBA This Season. Strickland: Olynyks skill set makes him an attractive asset for Boston Celtics GM Trader Danny Ainge to package in any Rajon Rondo deal that is more than imminent. I doubt hell be a surprise to anyone, but fans and foes alike will nod in quiet appreciation during Kellys season of asserting himself on the court, earning minutes, stats and respect around the league. Watson: On a Celtics team that is stockpiling assets and assessing its young talent, there is little pressure on sophomore head coach Brad Stevens to raise another banner at TD Garden. Ten players on the 15-man roster have five years or less of NBA experience and Olynyks high basketball IQ, tools, length and shooting, will earn him minutes on the court. Anthony Bennett Will Be The NBAs Most Improved Player. Strickland: Well, there is nowhere to go but up for the former #1 pick after a horrific rookie year. One can only hope that Bennett will be in shape, injury-free and vastly more mentally prepared to deal with the rigors and expectations of his station as a top choice selection. Most Improved? No, but being dealt to Minnesota with childhood pal Andrew Wiggins, coupled with an increased opportunity to play major minutes will help Bennett make steps toward living up to some of the billing. Watson: Bennett has a lot to prove in his sophomore season, particularly that his abhorrent rookie season was an aberration. Hes in shape, has a change of scenery, will get minutes and isnt in a situation where they have to win now. With a chip on his shoulder and looking to silence the critics that anointed him the worst #1 pick in NBA history, he will showcase the athleticism, mid-range game that made him a highly touted prospect coming out of college. Nik Stauskas Will Be Selected To The NBA All-Rookie First Team. Strickland: Yep. Slick Nik has more disco in his game than many people. Stauskas is sneaky athletic, handles well enough to navigate lane traffic and finish above the rim. Hes not just a dead-eye shooter. What seals the deal on an All-Rookie selection for Stauskas is an earnest attempt to improve defensively. Playing in Sacramento will offer him ample opportunity. Players will come strong at Stauskas, not because hes white, as he amplified in a slight rookie brain cramp during pre-season play, but because teams see free lunch stats-wise when you have K-I-N-G-S sprawled across your chest in the NBA. Watson: Stauskas sharp shooting is something the Kings offence sorely needs, which will open up the floor for Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins inside. The Mississauga native will earn his minutes and will supplant former lottery pick Ben McLemore in the starting line-up. As long as he continues to work on his defence, his ability to create with the basketball will keep him out on the floor. Thon Makers Enrolling At The Athletes Institute Will Change The Course Of Canadian Prep Basketball. Strickland: Absolutely. The Canadian prep pipeline normally heads south toward someones Christian Academy or the Findlay Preps of the world. But with the Sudanese-Australian Maker choosing to eschew more established prep programs in the U.S., his decision to ply his trade and hone his skills in Canada will only help to validate the decisions of other blue-chippers to stay home, enhancing their names and games here. Watson: The fact that an elite blue-chip prospect came up from the US to play at Athletes Institute is a statement in itself. There are numerous Canadian elite blue-chip prospects that end up going south of the border to pursue prep opportunities - the flow is now being reversed. AI offers Canadian kids the opportunity to do it at home, slowing the talent drain. The Brazilians Will Show Glimpses Of Promise This Year. Strickland: Bruno and Bebe are long-term growth assets who will more than likely toil in the D-League this season, only rolling with the big club to spell an injured Raptor teammate and/or for the Toronto front office braintrust, led by President and GM Masai Ujiri, to better assess their learnings on the main stage. Watson: Rookies Bruno Cabocolo and Lucas Nogueira will spend much, if not all of their season in the D-League adjusting to the NBA game. While both players are raw and the Raptors arent dependent on their contribution right now, it will give them time to learn the language and learn the game and excel against lesser competition. Two years away from being two years away, will quickly turn into hyperbole. Terrence Ross Will Have A Breakout Campaign. Strickland: The high flyer has an opportunity to establish exactly who he will be in The Association for the foreseeable future. After a poor playoff series vs. the Brooklyn Nets last spring, expectations are up for Ross to own the 3 spot in the Raptors starting lineup. Watching him in the preseason, Flight 31 looks to take off and show he does not lack the minerals and vitamins, irons or niacins to raise his game to the next level. Watson: Despite the fact Ross had a big season last year, thrust into the starting line-up after Rudy Gay was traded and tying a franchise record of 51 points in a game, more is still expected from the third year swingman. It all comes down to confidence, which was broken after a lackluster playoff performance last year. All early signs show that he has regained it in addition to adding 10 pounds of weight, looking to take his game up a notch. Kyle Lowry Will Be An All-Star. Strickland: Kyle Lowry should have been a well-deserving All-Star last season. Expect Lowry, new contract, stability and trust in an organization in tow, to improve from a career year. This season, there wont be disappointment for the Raptors bulldog. Hell be booking tickets to rock Gotham in February. Watson: Lowry was denied an All-Star berth by the coaches last year, despite performing as the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. Aside from the improvement in his on-court play and leadership, his maturity is what will likely tip the scales in his favour, shedding that uncoachable label. His teams record at the midway point should make his All-Star debut in New York a no-brainer. In Their 20th Season, The Raptors Will Finally Begin To Receive Respect They Deserve. Strickland: Opposing players, coaches, league execs and the keenest fans will continue to show admiration for whats become a squad who cant sneak up on anyone anymore. Its not a surprise, unless youre one the major U.S. sports media outlets cobbling together a highlight package during a Raps victory. Moving beyond the first round of the playoffs and competing for the conference title should clear up any lack of understanding. Watson: The saying goes winning changes everything. From players, officials, U.S. media, experts, the city and the league itself many have taken notice of this ball club. With two likely All-Stars in DeRozan and Lowry, a top-tier team in the conference, a savvy GM and an ability to close out games, this team has worked hard for everything. This year, that perceived slight or lack of calls will likely disappear. The Raptors Will Improve On A 48-Win Season. Strickland: Why not 50-52 wins? Aiming high? Maybe, after a 48-win campaign, but wholly possible. Maintaining core consistency by re-signing Lowry to help Greivis Josue Vasquez Rodriguez and Patrick Patterson stay in the fold is huge. Add the growth and experience gained over summer in Spain for All-Star DeMar DeRozan and the big man, Jonas Valanciunas, key additions of Lou Williams from Atlanta and James Johnson from Memphis to help bolster scoring and defence off the bench, a make-or-break season from third-year pro Terrence Ross and the stability that coach Dwane Caseys steady hand will help to swing this season toward another franchise record-breaking one. Watson: 50 wins. This team can only improve on their franchise-setting milestone and anything less is not a success. Building on last years experience, they are a better team, which has the stars, the depth and the chemistry to compete and excel in the NBA. Teams will be ready for them this season, but the Raptors still carry themselves with an underdog attitude. You can find Duane Watson(@duanewatson) and Will Strickland(@wallstrizzle1) plying their trade in the Art of Basketball Commentary on #1On1 with Will & Duane every Saturday afternoon at 3pm et on TSN 1050 Radio. Ted Ginn Jr Saints Jersey . After overcoming a three-goal deficit the Senators forced the game to overtime only to watch it slip away as Seth Jones scored the winner 3:49 into the extra period as the Nashville Predators defeated the Senators 4-3 Monday night. Sam Mills Jersey . -- Mixed martial arts fighter Cristiane Justino Santos has been suspended and fined for testing positive for steroids. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Michael-Thomas-Saints-Jersey/ . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Michael Thomas Womens Jersey . - Skiing far more aggressively than in her season debut a day earlier, Lindsey Vonn was in provisional 10th place after the first 45 skiers in a World Cup downhill on Saturday. Alvin Kamara Jersey .com) - The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve Tuesday.CLEVELAND -- Lucky in the NBA lottery, the Cavaliers are hoping their good fortune continues as they look for a new coach. The team asked the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday for permission to speak with assistant coach Alvin Gentry about Clevelands coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. Gentry, who has coached four other franchises, has not yet set up a meeting with the Cavs, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on its search. The sides are working through some details, and are expected to meet in the next few days. Earlier this week, the Cavs defied long odds to win the draft lottery for the second year in a row and third time in four years. Cleveland is seeking its third coach in three years after Mike Brown was fired -- for the second time by owner Dan Gilbert -- last week following a 33-49 season. Gentry worked previously in Phoenix with Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, who said there is no timetable to hire a new coach. "We do not feel this is a race," he said. "This is not about being first. This is about getting it right. At the same time, if the right candidate did meet the criteria that we set out and is available and is as interested in us as we are in them, we would act on it at the time it presented itself." The Cleveland Plain Dealer was first to report the Cavs intentions to interview Gentry. The Cavs are not limiting themselves to coaches with pro experience and are expected to reach out to college coaches. Having the No. 1 overall pick has certainly made them a more attractive destination.dddddddddddd However, Gilberts penchant for firing GMs and coaches would have to make any candidate at least hesitant about coming to Cleveland. Brown was told to make the Cavs better defensively, and did so as the team went from last in the league in defensive field-goal percentage to 12th. Still, that wasnt enough as Cleveland missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Gentry has solid qualifications and is believed to be a candidate for other openings. He has a 335-370 record in 12 seasons with Miami, Detroit, the Clippers and Phoenix. He led the Pistons and Suns to the post-season. Griffin said he hopes to find a coach more attuned to his offensive roots. With the team expected to land one of the best players in what is considered a deep draft along with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and guard Dion Waiters, the Cavs could have the core for a high-scoring team. "Ive had a primarily offensive based focus with the people I was raised by," Griffin said. "And I think its fair to say the Cavaliers have had a defensive focus. What excited me most about coming here is that I believe you find the truth in the middle. No franchise thats incredibly well run is all one thing. We need to find a way to speak to the best of all parts of the offensive background I know, the defensive background thats dyed in the wool of this franchise. "Ownership believes in defence, I believe in offence, and theres a truth in the middle. Were going to find that." ------ AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this report. ' ' '