These are my Toronto Raptors Linkage links for January 26th from 07:06 to 23:17:
- GAME REVIEW: Raptors vs Kings [Jan 25] – Although victories against the imploding Bulls [Fri Jan 23] and the down-trodden Kings should never be confused with putting up a meaningful W against a High End Team in the NBA, there are instructive lessons to be learned from a game like last night’s:
- Parker fills in admirably on Raptors’ point – In the six games since Parker began initiating the Raptors' offence, he's posted an average line of 14.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds on 47-per-cent shooting. On the season, Parker is averaging 10.2 points a game on 42-per-cent shooting, with 2.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds.
- Top ten things Roko Ukic does with his iPhone – Yes, Roko does like to surf the 'net, but what else does he do with his Appley-sweet gadget? Here is
The Top Ten List: Things Roko Ukic Does with His iPhone - <b>Heat also want a pick in addition to Moon</b> –
- <b>Heat want Moon in O’Neal deal</b> –
- One and Done, Part 3 – So I guess a few of us (myself included) underestimated Jose Calderon's effect on this team, huh? After his return keyed impressive back-to-back wins, I took a look at the Raptors' schedule to try to convince myself that there's no way the team can stage a late charge into the post-season. Sadly, I came away feeling sickeningly unconvinced.
- Meet the 2008-09 Raptors Dance Pak – Finally, the Toronto Raptors got around to listing this season’s Dance Pak on the official website. No idea what the gang at Raptors.com is thinking. It is not like the team is burning it up, at least show off the other assets.
- Adnan Virk From The Score Visits The Dino Nation Blog – I was very excited to get the chance to talk with Adnan Virk. Many know Adnan from his work on Raptor broadcasts and on the show Court Surfing that he was the host of. I have known Adnan prior to him being a part of The Score.
- So here’s the deal… or deals – Don't be surprised to see Iavaroni end up in Toronto with close friend Bryan Colangelo, who was prevented from bringing Iavaroni with him to Toronto. I can see Iavaroni landing on his feet as head coach of the Raptors next season if Toronto misses the playoffs.
- Can the Toronto Raptors Rebound? – When healthy, the Raptors have a playoff-caliber team. With Andrea Bargnani scoring over 15 points in 16 consecutive games and averaging 22 points a game as a starter, he is starting to play like the player the Raptors drafted.
- Raptors Try To Keep Hope Alive – The Toronto Raptors have no intention of fading into that dark night and missing out on the playoff party. They still see hope and a chance to get in the playoffs.
- Great To Have Calderon Back In Raps’ Lineup – Folks, it's great to have Jose Calderon back in the Toronto Raptors' lineup. What a HUGE difference he makes when he's able to play at a high level and when he's healthy. In the game of basketball, a point guard – particularly a really good one – can make a major IMPACT on your team.
- Kings: Soft as butter – Jermaine O'Neal isn't the only veteran centre with a big contract rumoured to be on the block. Kings big man Brad Miller – with another year and $12-million left on his deal — is also being rumoured to be heading just about everywhere. And you know what? He could definitely help someone.
- Keep O’Neal in supporting role – With his time in Toronto officially on the clock, O'Neal knows he could get traded at any minute prior to the NBA's Feb. 19 trade deadline.
But after watching the Raptors impose their will in the frontcourt against the visiting Sacramento Kings, one can't help but wonder why they would even contemplate trading O'Neal.
- Wins lead to grins – "(Calderon and O'Neal) can slide back into their natural position. As a true point guard, Jose sees everybody on the floor, how everyone's being defended. Instead of having a guy who is new to the NBA or playing out of position who see one guy out there, Jose sees the whole floor. You try and keep one or two starters on the floor and one or two scorers and one or two rebounders, and hopefully the math adds up."
- Calderon nears record – But the superstitious Triano feigned a blank look when asked about Jose Calderon's bid to pass Micheal Williams' NBA record of 97 consecutive made free throws. After going 3-for-3 from the line last night against the Kings, Calderon is just 11 behind Williams.
- Humourous Hump keeps Raps’ spirits up – "If I sounded like this," said English, and the coach caricatured the purr of a presumably lovely young woman, "would you have remembered (to call back)?"
Shrugged Humphries: "I'm better with text messaging."
- Confident Raptors crush Kings – "We played good the last couple of games. Everybody is trying to help the team, everybody is stepping forward and trying to play a little bit better," point guard Jose Calderon said after another splendid effort. "These are two (games) that we have to win."
- With a full lineup, Raptors full steam ahead – With Bargnani, Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal all healthy, the Raptors's prime front-court players combined for 66 points and 25 rebounds. Their Kings' counterparts could manage just 33 and 10. For once, the Raptors, 18-28, were the big kids on the block.
- FEAR THE BEARD: Bargnani and his beard score 13 in the third – In the third Jose was hype to be back , he got the steal, passing it to Anthony Parker for the dunk. By the mid third quarter, Chris Bosh had 23 pts and 6 rebounds. Andrea Bargnani nailed a three to get up 71-62 on the Kings. He scored 13 points in the third quarter as the Raps went on a 21-6 run.
- Game 46: Raps vs. Kings – Post-game – We have seen Andrea playing solid basketball for a while now, but tonight I loved seeing the bit of grit he had, not backing down after getting shoved in the back by Garcia. It would have been easy enough for him to just walk away and although it’s not like he came back with a shove of his own, he stood right up in Garcia’s face before Joey came in to break things up. Standing up like that comes from confidence, knowing that you are at a point where you have faith in your game and know that you shouldn’t be taking any garbage from anybody.
- Tip In, Raptors’ Post Game: Kings of the Court – For some reason, the Raptors just didn't come out and jump all over the Kings. Toronto had to use this game to begin to exert their will on a bad team and just put them away. However, they just couldn't begin the game with passion. And as good as Calderon is, he can't be the only one playing with passion.
- A Ray of Italian Light in a Dissapointing Season to Date – Even from the perspective of an eternal optimist such as myself when it comes to this team, it is safe to say that the Toronto Raptors are in the middle of perhaps their most disappointing season to date in their relatively short existence.
- Raptors’ O’Neal stays focused despite trade rumours – "It doesn't bother me," said O'Neal following the Raptors win on Sunday. "As far as the trade rumours you are talking about, it's a part of the business and I think that's athletes not only in basketball but sports in general, we can't be sensitive about the business, we accept a lot of the money and a lot of the good things that come with being a professional athlete but you have got to accept the rest of the business that comes with it too."
- Kings’ cold spell continues north of the border – But when Bryan Colangelo heard the term "rebuilding" used in reference to his struggling club, he took exception. His roster, as he pointed out, was far too talented to be considered a reclamation project. And as the next two hours would indicate, he's probably right.
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Related posts:
- Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 19th through January 20th
- Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 20th through January 23rd
- Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 17th from 03:03 to 07:34
- Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 15th from 09:02 to 12:57
- Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 17th from 16:49 to 19:05
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