These are my links for August 20th through August 21st:
- Grading the NBA: Frontcourt Edition | The Hoop Doctors – The Raptors had a very successful off season and now boast a one of the most skilled frontcourts in the NBA. Although they lack toughness within the starting lineup they added Reggie Evans, Rasho Nesterovic, and Amir Johnson to help their depth and toughness. Bosh, Bargnani, and Turkoglu are making over $30 million combined this season and the Raptors expect to contend in the Atlantic Division in 2010.Grade A (9.5)
- Dino Nation Blog: Adnan Virk Of Raps T.V In Starting 5 – When I do an interview with Adnan you never know what might happen. This time around we talk about Bryan Colangelo, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Demar Derozan and Jarrett Jack. That along with some thoughts on Adnan’s new job and he even offers me one. It is always fun talking with Adnan and we have a lot of fun doing our interviews together. There is near the end someone in the background who is not exactly a fan of our interview.
- Demar Derozan: Straight Outta’ Vegas Summer Camp | Steady Burn – Demar’s well tuned mid-range game is definitely on display in this highlight reel – check out the baseline fadeaway about 1:10 in, with MC Ren adding: So for now pack the gun and Hold it in the air.As Eazy E might say, lend Demar Derozan your muf#kin’ eyes and check out his Rookie Chronicles blog. He’s got some typical growing into my millions footage up there – himself picking up his first Escalade, sans rims for the time being.
- The 2008-09 Toronto Raptors – Did The Legomaster Hate this Team or What? – Raptors HQ – Training camp and preseason should be a real treat then this year with so many new players battling for playing time. But the influx of new names had me thinking last night that instead of posting the next X Factor report this morning, maybe I should be talking about something else……like the need for Raptors fans to petition the Academy so that Bryan Colangelo receives an Oscar for his performance last year.I’m serious here.
Remember the whole “we’re not that far away” speech at the end of last season?
Does 10 new players suggest “not that far away” to you?
- Doug Smith – In 2011 Will Carroll’s Money Matter? – All this kerfuffle about Carroll being a waste at the end of the bench in 2011 may not take this into consideration:There could be so many roster spots open by that time – the contracts of Wright, Douby, Belinelli, Evans, Rasho, O’Bryant all expire in before the 2011 season rolls around – there could very well be a need for a guy to play a ninth, 10th or 11th man role.Me? I’d be okay with a guy making less than $4 million in that situation.
- A Summer of Good and Bad Moves in the NBA (Part 4) « OJ’s Juice – The Raptor’s bench, which also has Amir Johnson, which was curiously traded by Detroit in a 3-team deal. Jarret Jack also will be a solid back-up to Calderon.The Raptors will be from the outside of the playoffs looking in and their future is all reliant on how Turkoglu performs this season and more importantly, Chris Bosh’s future. I foresee Bosh moving Stateside to a team like the Knicks or the Heat.
- TheStar.com | Teachers’ bets heavily on Toronto sports fans – The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan said yesterday it is buying a further 7.7 per cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment from media company CTVglobemedia.That will leave Teachers’ with a 66 per cent stake in the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and the Marlies, plus the Air Canada Centre, BMO Field and Ricoh Coliseum.
- Top 5 Power Forwards – HOOPSWORLD – At 6-10 and only 230 pounds, Bosh can challenge big and small opponents on both ends of the floor with his quickness and cunning. His ball-handling skills aren’t as appreciated as they should be and only a few outside Ontario recognize that he’s one of the premiere free throw shooters among post players (81.7% from the line last year).His defense has been questioned, but some of that has to do with Toronto’s pace (the Raptors averaged 94.2 possessions per game last year).Even without elite defense though, Bosh has proven to be among the most calculating forwards in the NBA. The Dallas native has always been a smart player, but GM Bryan Colangelo seems to be molding him into much more of a thinker on the court. His shot selection has visibly improved each season.
- RaptorBlog.com – Dr. Colangelo or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bosh – None of these post-Hedo-signing moves would seem, taken on their own, to be particularly impactful to the Raptors’ fortunes. However, when you step back and compare this roster to the one that closed out last season, it’s easy to see that Colangelo has taken steps to address and improve upon several team weaknesses. Such as…
- Raptors Game Time – The Overhaul Effect – In an interview with the FAN590 the question was posed to BC in regards to being able to keep everything tight lipped and under a watchful eye that not even the media was able to leak any of the moves until things became official. The perfect example was sending away Carlos Delfino to the Bucks and out of no where acquiring Belinelli who is a highly skilled perimeter player and averaged just 8.9 points being apart of the Don Nelson’s Warriors where he was able to flourish as a young player. Belinelli has the guns to break you down in transition and the youthful athleticism to play the 2 or 3 positions.Here is my statement its not about who the better GM is or was but it is about spending the money to put a great product out there on the court. Now, if only the Blue Jays could revamp and spend the millions just like the Leafs and Raptors Toronto would be back on top of the sporting world.
- Delfino welcomed by Bucks, Bogut’s back better – nba – SI.com – Delfino had played for the Raptors in 2007-08 before his Russian stint. He said he was glad to find a way back to the NBA.”Sometimes, you have those days, those black days, you don’t know where to go, you feel stuck,” Delfino said. “Hopefully, coming back to NBA, to Milwaukee, to this situation, I can (build) from what I did in Toronto.”
- The Salami & Cheese: Still 1 spot left.. – The Raptors have an extremely deep bench. Player 6 very well may be equally talented as player 9. Every player on the bench will have the opportunity to make a solid contribution when hitting the floor. But at the same time, I realize there’s only 48 minutes in a basketball game, and not everyone will get equal distribution time–that’s not my opinion, that’s just basic math.At the end of the day, fans need to realize the Raptors bench is pretty much set in stone. Honestly, will player #15 put the Raptors over the top? Chances are no. And with a slipping economy, it doesn’t make sense to invest a ton of money into a guy who will only get flashes of court time.
- Carroll could be traded to the Raptors | Courier Times Now – Carroll, a shooting guard, has four years left on his contract that will pay him $4.7 million this season, $4.3 million in 2010-11, $3.9 million in 2011-12 and a $3.5 million player option in 2012-13. Banks is owed $4.53 million this year and $4.8 million in 2010-11.Carroll, a six-year pro, has spent the bulk of his time in the league with the Bobcats. His best season was 2006-07, when he averaged a career-high 12.1 points, made 111-of-267 3-pointers (41.6 percent) and hit 90.4 percent of his free throws.
- Dino Gunners: Raptors Trade: Evaluation – In general, I see Johnson as the second best big man on the Raptors behind Chris Bosh and would excel in a role of grabbing rebounds and playing defense. He is also a good finisher around the rim and tends to take only high percentage shots. He would be an ideal fit in the starting line-up alongside Bosh and Turkolu. However, I do not foresee Triano having the guts to stick Bargnani on the bench. Dave, from NBARoundtable, says his pick and roll defensive is very good and his presence may go a long way to solving this Raptor’s defensive problems.
- Dino Nation Blog: Matt Devlin is in The Starting 5 – Today was no exception as we talk about many different subjects. Including Jay Triano and what all these changes mean for him. The job Bryan Colangelo has done in this off season. He gives his take on where this Raptors team fits into the mix in the Eastern Conference. Along with thoughts on the most recent trade. At least, the most recent one at the time of the interview. The way Bryan Colangelo is going you can never be sure.
- The Problem with Toronto’s Professional Sports Teams | Bleacher Report – While watching the Leafs and the Raps, it’s so rare to hear the fans cheer with any sort of enthusiasm because the crowd is so full of people that don’t give a shit about the sport, but more so care about having the tickets and being able to say they were at the game and making “an appearance” so to speak.It’s just like a high school 9ers party where a couple of the older cool kids show up for awhile, drink their booze, and leave to go to a real party, but those 9ers talk about how the “cool guys” showed up at their party.
- TSN – Colangelo Does Major Work On Raps Over Summer – By that measure this has certainly been the most remarkable summer in Raptors history, but it also portends that the oft-cited culture change that was said to come with Bryan Colangelo may have finally come to pass as well. Before anyone can say for certain, though, Jay Triano will have to lead this group in his first full season as head coach back into the post-season, while also maintaining competitiveness for the duration of the regular season. The team will have to demonstrate a commitment to winning defense that hasn’t been seen since 2001 and then Colangelo will be tasked with not imperiling the club with his moves next summer.
- Doug Smith – Carroll A Great Guy – It’s not an earth-shattering deal; it’s 15th man for 12th man and that’s hardly worth getting worked up over.But, here’s one to consider: I know that Banks has not been a real problem in the locker room but there are those in the organization who think he could be a bit of pouter if he had to sit for another season and get no action. Carroll? Well, the people in Charlotte, where he spent the majority of his career, love the kid. “Absolutely great guy. Absolutely great quote.” That’s what one e-mail I got on him said.Now, if they can just get this deal done, the summer has to be over, right?
- Toronto Sports Media Blog » Raptors Colangelo About To Make ANOTHER Trade? – “On first thought it’s brutal. Both suck, both are overpaid. Carroll has 2 extra years. I suppose Colangelo thinks he is an upgrade, but the difference is too small to matter. Next season Banks will be a $4.75m expiring contract which is really valuable with the cap shrinking. You can’t go over the cap to sign other players, but you can trade expiring contracts for a guy with a longer contract and keep salary.”
- Dallas Mavericks Blog | Dallas Morning News – Mavs Might Get Rid Of Matt Carroll – Banks didn’t play much for the Raptors, got injured and apparently landed in the doghouse by declining a request to play for Toronto’s summer league team.So this is basically a swap of benchwarmers, but there is a financial benefit for the Mavs: Banks’ contract expires two years earlier than Carroll’s. Essentially, the Mavs are trying to minimize the damage done by their midlevel mistake last summer.
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Bargani on the bench for Johnson? wtf was that guy smoking… hmm is he talking about the sameBarganni who averaged 20 and 7 under Triano last year? or the same Johnson that averaged 5 & 4 as a starter in detroit?