Toronto Raptors 2009-2010

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors//

Ploto- Look how cool the front page graphic is:
The name tag with all the players' name on it!

Hedo and Sho- teammates again! :D

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors/misc/2009-10_Preseason_Guide.pdf

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/media/raptors/turkoglu_wallpaper080409_1400x1050.jpg

:D

[jazzypimp]

That's one ugly duo LoL

[lefty]

Angel,

There is already a topic for "Nightmare on Elm Street" in the The Club.

[angel_luv]

You need to stop! :lol

[lefty]

You need to stop! :lol
Sorry, couldn't resist :D

[ploto]

For angel:

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090928_133717_1148

[Pero]

For angel:

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090928_133717_1148

Haha, cool.

[Red Hawk #21]

The raptors are the shit, we've had some really good games versus them in the past. I wonder why so many players hate Toronto though?

[Allanon]

I wonder why so many players hate Toronto though?

Because it's Toronto :lol

ps. Just saw the name tags...so that's where Marcus Banks went. Can't remember a player with so much hope behind him as Marcus Banks. He was supposed to save the Lakers from Smush, then the Suns from an aging Nash, now the Raptors.

[ploto]

Because it's Toronto :lol

...that's where Marcus Banks went. Can't remember a player with so much hope behind him as Marcus Banks. He was supposed to save the Lakers from Smush, then the Suns from an aging Nash, now the Raptors.

Toronto is a great city!

Banks isn't saving the Raptors from anything. He will spend the season on the trading block and in a suit.

[angel_luv]

For angel:

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20090928_133717_1148

hvala lepa! :D

[lefty]

www.tsn.ca/nba (http://www.tsn.ca/nba)

ARMSTRONG: 5 KEYS TO GET RAPTORS BACK TO PLAYOFFS

[/URL]

I'm fired up for another season of NBA basketball. I can't believe I'm beginning my 12th season as a Toronto Raptors broadcaster. How time flies – it seems like a lifetime ago when I was ranting and raving on the sidelines as an NCAA Division 1 coach for the previous 14 years.
I've gotten to see the ups and downs of the Raptors organization over the years and as they enter their 15th year in existence, I feel like it's time for the team/organization to take that next step and not only be a playoff team but get a little roll going where they are contending for a good stretch of years to be an elite Eastern Conference team.
Remember, the Toronto Blue Jays won their first World Series in their 15th season and followed it up with another one the year after. I don't think the Raptors are at that stage in the NBA landscape going into this season but as an organization, the ultimate goal is to be an elite franchise. It's time to get on a consistent roll.
President & GM Bryan Colangelo has done an excellent job of retooling this team after a disappointing season last year. I give Colangelo credit - he's an incredibly hardworking and passionate basketball man, who reacted to what took place last year, took it personally and was bold enough to revamp this thing in one off-season. I like that style--No Nonsense!
It's training camp and everyone thinks they're going to be good. I personally think the Raptors WILL/SHOULD be good this season. I DON'T put the Raptors in the category of the Eastern Conference's top 3 teams (Magic, Celtics and the Cavs) but I DO put them in that next group that can contend for 4th thru 6th seed and win in the range of 44-48 games.
They'll be competing with the likes of the up-and-coming Atlanta Hawks, the healthy and improved Washington Wizards, the [URL="http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=dwyane+wade"]Dwyane Wade (javascript:void(0);)-led Miami Heat and even though Ben Gordon (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=ben+gordon) is gone, the Chicago Bulls have enough talent to be a player in the conference.
Here are my 5 keys to a successful Raptors season.
1. CHRIS BOSH (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=chris+bosh) - Time for the career year! It's a contract year and I'm tired of hearing about 2010 free agency and the nonsense of wanting to play for a 'championship contender' from LeBron, Wade, Bosh, etc. It's time to make the situation YOU'RE IN a CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER!! That's why you get the big $ and all the attention. Get it done!! I LOVE Chris Bosh (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=chris+bosh) as a player and a person. He's a winner both on and off the court. 1st class all the way. I think he's got another level of productivity, leadership, consistency and intensity that he can take his game to and LEAD his RAPTORS team to the NEXT level. The moment of truth has arrived and it's time to answer the challenge and the opportunity sitting in his lap. He's capable of doing it - NOW DO IT!!
2. DEFENCE AND REBOUNDING - You only get what you demand. Jay Triano and his staff need to be very demanding of their team this year to make sure everyone is accountable and giving 100% in these vital areas. The additions of Reggie Evans (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=reggie+evans), Jarrett Jack (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=jarrett+jack), Antoine Wright (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=antoine+wright) and Rasho Nesterovic (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=rasho+nesterovic) will allow this team to change the culture of a team a year ago that didn't pay the price in these areas. If this team makes the sacrifices necessary in these areas, they'll have a great shot to have a nice team. If they don't pay the price here, we'll be looking at an inconsistent team that will only be able to win when the offence is clicking on a certain night. Defence and rebounding equal consistent, night-in and night-out positive performances. Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die to get there!!! --- You want wins?? Pay the price or else!!!
3. GOOD HEALTH - Bosh & Hedu Turkoglu are missing some practice time right now. No big deal in my eyes. Oct 28 vs. Cavs is what counts. They've gotta stay healthy as a team and can't have Jose Calderon (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/?name=jose+calderon) playing at 60% like last year. The margin of error here is too slim. Not as loaded as the Celtics, Cavs and Magic. All the little things need to work for you and good health is a HUGE factor.
4. CHEMISTRY - Love the additions that Colangelo has made with lots of new faces. Now it's time to get them to all be cohesive. Be patient. That will take time. Roles need to be established, competed for and accepted over time and as each passing day goes by from October to November to December, this team has more than enough offence to be good. It just has to be fluid and all fit the plan over time. Creep, crawl, walk and then run. This might take some time but I foresee once this group 'gets it', they'll be fun to watch.
5. GRIT/TOUGHNESS - Last year's team didn't have it. They watched the playoffs from home. Want to be in the playoffs and go deep?? Do the dirty work that it takes on the nights you don't feel 100% and you're tired and just grinding your way through it. The best teams steal games every year because they're simply tougher and want it more than their opponent. It goes a long way towards turning a good season into a great season. In the words of the great Bill Russell "Hustle is a talent because not everyone does it." Pay the price=Fun season!!!
Look forward to calling 50 Raptors game this season on TSN and TSN2 - should be fun. Enjoy!!!

[angel_luv]

Thanks, Lefty. :)

[lefty]

Thanks, Lefty. :)
You are more than welcome

[Kobayagi]

I wonder why so many players hate Toronto though?

Maybe I'm mistaken but isnt there something about taxes being higher in Canada?

[ploto]

Now, that Rasho has made this public information, I will post my public congratulations to him on the birth of his beautiful daughter.



Rasho Nesterovic gave a lot of thought to moving closer to home this year.

His family increased to four with the birth of his daughter Teodora, his second child after son Nikola. The slumping economy meant NBA teams were being more frugal than usual, putting the 33-year-old centre in a position of looking for a team after a year with the Indiana Pacers. Moving closer to his native Slovenia seemed to make a lot of sense.

Instead, he chose his other home.

“Like I’ve said a million times,” Nesterovic said, “I never felt homesick when I was in Toronto.”

So Nesterovic returned to Toronto, signing a one-year deal for $1.9 million US. Nesterovic was in Toronto from 2006-08, starting 112 regular-season games and six playoff games.

Nesterovic was universally liked in the dressing room for his understated humour and his professionalism, so Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo never wanted to get rid of him in the first place. He did so before last season to acquire Jermaine O’Neal, but did not hesitate to bring him back.

“The stability, leadership and presence that Rasho has both in the locker and on the floor, it’s really clear to us that it’s a nice piece to have,” Colangelo said. “We lacked that after he left.”

“I’ve always liked him,” Raptors coach Jay Triano added. “He’s one of my favourite players, one of my favourite people in the NBA.”

The deal was mutually beneficial, more than most. At the end of last year, the Raptors’ first big man off the bench behind Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani was Pops Mensah-Bonsu — “an undersized power forward” as Colangelo put it. Nesterovic, though, wanted to come back to Toronto.

Nikola was born in Toronto and Nesterovic never got rid of his home in Toronto even after the trade.

“I like Toronto,” Nesterovic said. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll move and live here (permanently).”

“There was always an expression of interest in returning,” Colangelo said. “We had a little bit of an indication of him liking Toronto just by him keeping his place, and talking about spending some time here later in his life.

“That probably helped our cause.”

The phrase “consummate professional” follows Nesterovic around. His is not known for his athleticism, but he is sound defensively and is big enough to defend some of the league’s stronger centres, despite losing a few pounds this summer. He can also hit the mid-range jumper.

However, Nesterovic’s minutes should be more limited than they were during his last tour in Toronto. In addition to Bosh and Bargnani, the Raptors have Reggie Evans, an exceptional rebounder, and athletic forward Amir Johnson in the front court.

But perhaps Nesterovic’s biggest role with this team will be as a tutor, if an unconventional one. Two years ago, the team looked to Nesterovic to help Bargnani improve.

“He sets the example and he comes and plays hard,” Raptors assistant coach Alex English, who works extensively with the team’s big men, said. “That forces them to play hard. And he’ll get on them. He’ll let them know: ‘C’mon, do what you’ve got to do.’ ”

http://www.canada.com/sports/Nesterovic+home+with+Raptors+Toronto/2060781/story.html

[ploto]

At his perch on the top row of the bleachers in Carleton University's gym, Jasmin Repesa accepts visitors and welcomes conversation.

Bryan Colangelo stops by as the Raptors conclude a training camp scrimmage; Marc Iavaroni wanders by after the session is over; Jay Triano has a word a few minutes later.

Repesa is being afforded unfettered access to the Raptors' coaches during training camp because they believe you can never have enough sets of eyes watching what's going on.

It is fitting, seeing how Repesa is considered one of the great minds of European basketball.

Fresh off coaching Croatia to a spot in next year's world basketball championship, taking a year off from a 15-year career with some of Europe's top club teams, Repesa is providing a little bit of insight to what's transpiring on the court.

"I really respect him," Triano said of the 48-year-old Repesa, who will be at the Raptors' camp until the end of next week.

"I told my coaches, make sure you go talk to him. We can learn a lot from guys, especially guys who have coached in Europe for a long time.

"I try to talk to him every day and value him being here."

Repesa, who is a long-time friend of Raptors vice-president Maurizio Gherardini and coached Lottomatica Roma when Toronto faced that team in a 2007 exhibition game, isn't trying to impose anything on Triano and his staff.

But he has also been around long enough to know that all coaches like to chat about their team and the game and he relishes the opportunity to provide input.

"It's my first experience to see on a little bit longer period an NBA team," Repesa said. "Not only how they are practising but the organization and everything about the team.

"I'm enjoying how they are practising, how they have an excellent atmosphere, how guys focus on their job; they are practising very hard."

Repesa's one of a handful of coaches who have taken in a practice or two this week, although he is the one who has been around the longest.

Triano has invited CIS coaches to sit in on practice and Canadian national team coach Leo Rautins was in town for a couple of workouts. It's all part of Triano's outreach program.

"The coaching thing is a fraternity and from the small things or little things they say and see you might get some ideas," he said.

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo is familiar with Repesa from scouting forays and the fact he coached Roko Ukic in Rome a couple of seasons ago. The connection goes a bit deeper: Repesa coached Raptor newcomer Marco Belinelli, then 17, in Bologna about six years ago.

"We have good, open relations with coaches in various parts of the world," Colangelo said.

"Basketball's about sharing and building a knowledge base and he's got a great pedigree, a lot of history."

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/article/704898#

[angel_luv]

Congrats to Sho and Mrs. Sho. :)

Teodora is a prety name. I wonder what it means?

[Kobayagi]

Congrats to Sho and Mrs. Sho. :)

Teodora is a prety name. I wonder what it means?


It's a female version of Theodore. But you probably know that. :lol

[angel_luv]

It's a female version of Theodore. But you probably know that. :lol

I didn't know that, but I like the name Theodore.

I am considering it as a middle name for one of my future sons- when God blesses me with him.

[ploto]

Teodora is a prety name. I wonder what it means?

Gift from God

[angel_luv]

Gift from God

That she is. :)

[velik_m]

Now, that Rasho has made this public information, I will post my public congratulations to him on the birth of his beautiful daughter.



http://www.canada.com/sports/Nesterovic+home+with+Raptors+Toronto/2060781/story.html

It was public long time ago...

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3663476&postcount=569

[ploto]

Sorry, I missed that post. I have known since July, but I never saw it in print anywhere, so I have kept it private.

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors/photos/tipoff_turkoglu_102509.jpg

^ Hedo from the Raptors Tip Off Dinner. ^

Sho is way too good at avoiding the camera.

[lefty]

Who is that SG the Raptors drafted?

He looks really good, could be a steal :tu

[Rappin' Raptor]

Title on my mind
Title on my mind
Title in my mind
Title is all I think of


Walkin on the court with a swagger you can't knock kid
We aint been this hyped since we had the Red Rocket
With Hedo and Rasho bitch we all but locked it
Who needs Kobe or Lebron because Turks gonna shoot their eyes out their sockets

I love it I fuccin love it
We gonna take the trophy so fucc the public
If you doubt my crew then you can fuccin suck it
Cuz we wreckin shop and droppin' buckets
So don't be surprised when we bring it back to out place
and ask all doubters how our Canadian ass tastes!

[Rappin' Raptor]

Oh yeah, RAWR!

[ploto]

Title on my mind
Title on my mind
Title in my mind
Title is all I think of


Walkin on the court with a swagger you can't knock kid
We aint been this hyped since we had the Red Rocket
With Hedo and Rasho bitch we all but locked it
Who needs Kobe or Lebron because Turks gonna shoot their eyes out their sockets

I love it I fuccin love it
We gonna take the trophy so fucc the public
If you doubt my crew then you can fuccin suck it
Cuz we wreckin shop and droppin' buckets
So don't be surprised when we bring it back to out place
and ask all doubters how our Canadian ass tastes!

Really bad... :lol

[I. Hustle]

Oh yeah, RAWR!

Best part by far

[ploto]

Here you go Angel:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/swf/1.1/cvp/nba_embed_container.swf?context=raptors&videoId=teams/raptors/2009/10/26/tipoffdin091026-1101079

[angel_luv]

Here you go Angel:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/swf/1.1/cvp/nba_embed_container.swf?context=raptors&videoId=teams/raptors/2009/10/26/tipoffdin091026-1101079

hvala lepa!

That was awesome! :)

[duncan228]

Raps as good as anyone: Hedo (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/10/28/11549796-sun.html)
By Steve Buffery

Teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference should heed the words of Hedo Turkoglu.

While players were asked yesterday for predictions on the coming season, which begins tonight for the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, Turkoglu suggested that anyone who believes his club will not succeed is misinformed.

"We are as good as anybody out there right now," said Turkoglu, whom GM Bryan Colangelo brought over from the Orlando Magic in July. "We don't get a lot of credit, even to make the playoffs. But we really don't care. I'm very confident about myself and my teammates."

Perhaps it's Turkoglu who is wearing the rose-coloured contact lenses.

Most basketball publications pick the Raptors, who finished 33-49 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006, to finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in the East.

But to a man at the Raptors practice facility yesterday, nobody wanted to hear what the big publications and networks had to say. Chris Bosh said the bottom line is simple. If they play hard, they'll do well. If they don't play all-out, every game, they won't. What he didn't add was, if they don't play well and don't make the playoffs, he'll probably play elsewhere next season.

"I see a lot of potential. We can be either good or bad, it depends on us," Bosh said. "I think we're going to be good. But we're only going to be as good as we want to be. We have to believe in ourselves, first and foremost. But we have to put in the work to be good."

Point guard Jose Calderon said there is no point setting a limit on where they might finish.

"I want to be first," Calderon said. "Why would I put limits on us when the season is just going to start? Why say we'll be sixth or seventh if we can be a little bit better?"

The consensus is that the Cavaliers, who hosted Boston last night, will emerge as the beasts of the East, with the Celtics and Magic close behind. After that, it's a turkey shoot, with Toronto, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Miami all in the mix to make the playoffs.

"But all of that really doesn't matter," Bosh said. "How many prediction polls have really been correct in the last 10 years? I'm sure nobody picked the Magic to be the Eastern Conference champs last year. We just take all that as motivation and move on."

The worry is Raptorland -- although nobody officially admits to as much -- is that because the team is so new and the start of the schedule such a difficult one, the club might be slow getting out of the gate and that could affect morale. But Jay Triano, who is starting his first full season as head coach, said he will do all he can to keep the ship on an even keel.

"The players are ready and we feel good," said Triano, while admitting that he would have liked to have had a little more time preparing his revamped squad. "Yeah, like three years. We've kind of cleaned house, but we've got very quality people in here."

[angel_luv]

Thank you much, D228!

[ploto]

Great way to start the season! Loved the game.

Angel- I wish you could have seen. The Raptors introduced every player- not just the starters- and the crowd started to cheer really loudly as soon as the spotlight hit Rasho- before they could even announce his name.

[angel_luv]

Great way to start the season! Loved the game.

Angel- I wish you could have seen. The Raptors introduced every player- not just the starters- and the crowd started to cheer really loudly as soon as the spotlight hit Rasho- before they could even announce his name.

aww that's wonderful! :) I am so glad Sho is admired and appreciated by the fans there. He deserves it. :)

[angel_luv]

Three days until the game!

I am soooooo excited.

I am going to get to say hi to Sho and FINALLY meet Hedo!

Hooray! :elephant :elephant

[lefty]

Three days until the game!

I am soooooo excited.

I am going to get to say hi to Sho and FINALLY meet Hedo!

Hooray! :elephant :elephant

Nice!


I may go the Raps-Spurs game in January

[lefty]

Omfg

on fuego WTF Is that?

[lefty]

Bosh 4/4 on 3

LMAO

[lefty]

Raptors can't miss 3's

Bosh toying with Okafor

ROFL

[lefty]

Calderon in the face of CP3 and Byron Scott

:lmao

[lefty]

Calderon in the face of CP3 and Byron Scott

:lmao

[san antonio spurs]

Calderon in the face of CP3 and Byron Scott

:lmao

are you watching the game on TSN. The commentators loved it lol

[HarlemHeat37]

Calderon has been displaying some balls this year..

[lefty]

are you watching the game on TSN. The commentators loved it lol

Yep I'm watching it on TSN

They are fun to listen to tonight

[lefty]

Calderon has been displaying some balls this year..

Even last season but he was injured

[ploto]

Bosh and Bargnani combined are averaging 49.4 PPG and 19.0 RPG while shooting 59% from the 3-point line (4-4 for Bosh).

[ploto]

Write-in Rasho!!!

http://voteforrasho.blogspot.com/

[angel_luv]

Raptors have won three in a row!

Dajmo Raps!

:cheer :D :cheer

[angel_luv]

Write-in Rasho!!!

http://voteforrasho.blogspot.com/


That is an awesome Blog. I can't believe I missed it!




Five Letters
R-A-S-H-O.

Five letters.

Five letters that strike fear in the minds of giants.

Five letters that intimidate even the strongest of men.

Five letters that make the greatest NBA centers wish that they had called in sick rather than feel the wrath.

Some call him a basketball mastermind, capable of outsmarting the most skilled players. Some call him a sleeping giant, lurking on an NBA bench one minute, crushing opponents the next. Whatever you call him, there is no denying that he is the greatest player to ever step foot on a court.

He is the reason you watch the game. He is the reason you wake up every morning. He is the reason that you are alive today.

Five letters.

This year, let him know what he means to you. Let him know how he has affected your life. Let him know that you appreciate him and love him, as much as he appreciates and loves you.

This year, vote for Rasho as your Eastern Conference NBA All Star starting Center.

Five letters.
Posted by LetsNBA at 4:16 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

[lefty]

Damn Raps are winning games :lol

[lefty]

Raps with the win at MSG tonight.


Jarett Jack has HUGE balls

Great clutch defensive play :hat

[ploto]

Raptors with another come from behind win!!

Hedo- hopefully out of his slump!! 26 points; 11 rebounds

[angel_luv]

Raptors with another come from behind win!!

Hedo- hopefully out of his slump!! 26 points; 11 rebounds

Awesome! :)

[Ghazi]

Who woulda thought the Raptors would be better than the Spurs this year :lol

[lefty]

Who woulda thought the Raptors would be better than the Spurs this year :lol
Fuck you :lol

[resistanze]

15-5 in their last 20. ECF Champs.

[lefty]

Jarrett Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaack

[ploto]

Mask.

[lefty]

Mask.
Yeah I heard that too :lol

[lefty]

Do you think Hedo is gonna watch the Superball ?

[Rip-Hamilton32]

Amir Johnson with 5 fouls in 17 mins, back to his Detroit days i see

[HarlemHeat37]

Amir's actually been a very solid contributor for the Raptors this season, he's a fan favorite..

[Rip-Hamilton32]

Amir's actually been a very solid contributor for the Raptors this season, he's a fan favorite..

yeah i know i was just taking a shot at him because he played poorly today lol i live in the Toronto area and everyone loves his energy

[ploto]

A few props for my Raptors:

29-23 at the All-Star Break after a brutal schedule to start out the year. Over the past 24 games, I believe they have the second best record in the NBA (18-6), and they are 20-10 in their last 30 games. At home they are 13-1 in the past 14 games, including wins over Western Conference teams, the Lakers, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans.

Chris Bosh is a much-deserved All-Star and is also coaching in the Rookie-Sophomore Game.

DeMar DeRozen should be fun in the dunk competition.

And big kudos to Raptors fans, Bryan Colangelo, and MLSE for their combined efforts to raise funds to aid Haiti.

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=985831

[ploto]

Rasho leading the Raptors in points (8), rebounds (5), and assists (4) at the end of the first quarter tonight!

[lefty]

Rasho leading the Raptors in points (8), rebounds (5), and assists (4) at the end of the first quarter tonight!
Starting in place of injured CB4

Rashoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :king

[lefty]

Someone needs to fire Devlin and Rautins

[ploto]

Get well soon to Hedo's Mom.

http://www.karinsflorist.com/images/flowers_max/9011.jpg

[ploto]

Rasho Nesterovic comes up big for Raptors

The capper was the Dream Shake imitation in the lane, the show-the-ball-one-way-bring-it-back-the-other-and-finish-as-smooth-as-silk move reminiscent of the great Hakeem Olajuwon.

That was the moment everyone knew Rasho Nesterovic had something special going on at the Izod Center on Friday, when he cemented himself in the eyes of teammates and fans as the consummate professional ready for whatever role he's asked to fill.

And while there were many key components to Toronto's 106-89 whipping of the woeful New Jersey Nets, none was more important than that of Nesterovic, an emergency starter who played out of his mind.

"It was pretty remarkable," Jarrett Jack said of Nesterovic's 16-point, seven-rebound, four-assist night. "I think basketball is a game of rhythm and he hasn't been in the lineup for a while. For him to come in and contribute when his number is called is really unbelievable."

But if there is one constant with Nesterovic, it's that he's ready when it's time to play. At 33 years old and in his 12th NBA season, he knows his days as a starter and rotation regular are over. But instead of sitting at the end of the bench growing old and getting fat and living payday to payday, he keeps himself sharp – because you never know.

"He's always ready," coach Jay Triano said of Nesterovic. "He practises hard all the time; when he's not playing he's in the gym right away, he gets in extra work, gets his shots or he runs and he stays in great shape."

And Friday, he provided a huge boost to a Raptors team missing its best player for the first time this season.

"Some nights, you just feel it," Nesterovic said after scoring more points in a game than he has since November 2008.

If there were concerns about who would pick up the slack in the absence of Chris Bosh and the 24 points and 11 rebounds he averages on a nightly basis, they were quickly dashed.

Nesterovic had eight of his points in the first quarter as a perfectly running Raptors offence dominated the Nets. Toronto piled up 30 assists on 43 baskets over the course of the game and had an astonishing 21 on 24 first-half scores.

"If we just keep moving the ball, we're okay," said Triano. "Guys came to the basketball (and) I didn't see a selfish play tonight at all where someone tried to get their own. Everybody tried to help each other and that's why you have that many assists."

Seven Raptors scored in double figures, no starter had more than Jack's 18 or fewer than Andrea Bargnani's 13 and Jose Calderon led the bench scoring with 16.

And, perhaps most important, no one played more than Bargnani's 32 minutes, a key fact considering a back-to-back set ends with a home game against Washington on Saturday.

"When CB (Bosh) isn't playing, you have to play like a team and share the ball. ... That was our only chance to win," Nesterovic said.

Without Bosh and with Nesterovic playing more in one game than he might expect to in some months, Triano had to mix and match his lineups all night.

He did trot out a front court of Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson for the first time ever, willing to live with the offensive liabilities that might present because of the work ethic the two provide.

"It was probably out of necessity," the coach said. "I would like to have either Chris or Andrea on the floor with one of those guys but, with Chris out, we're going to have to have different combinations."


http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/768709--rasho-nesterovic-comes-up-big-for-raptors

[angel_luv]

Ah, you beat me again to posting, Ploto.


Well done Sho! :)

[angel_luv]

Get well soon to Hedo's Mom.

http://www.karinsflorist.com/images/flowers_max/9011.jpg

I prayed for her.

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors/features/featurs_2010_02_19.html

Playing without All-Star Chris Bosh, the Raptors had a balanced attack that saw Jarrett Jack lead the offensive charge with 18 points and 10 assists. All five of the starters reached double-figures including a strong performance by Rasho Nesterovic who finished with a season high 16 points and seven rebounds which ties his season high.

Nesterovic finished his night 8-11 from the field, four assists and one block in 25:33 of action.

[Will Hunting]

I prayed for her.


How do you know she isn't the anti-Christ?

lol bible thumper

[ploto]

The Toronto Raptors organization owes Rasho Nesterovic a bonus on his pay cheque.

Well, maybe not a bonus, but something for removing a blight from their team history.

Since Oliver Miller left the Raptors for good back on Feb. 1, 1999, his name has been in the Raptors record books alongside the likes of, dare we say, more deserving Raptors such as Damon Stoudamire, Morris Peterson, Doug Christie, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon to name a few.

Nesterovic took care of that Saturday when he went five-for-seven from the field to surpass the 1,000 field goal attempts as a Raptor and thereby qualify for standing in the all-time franchise leader in field goal percentage. Nesterovic’s mark of .545 easily surpassed Miller’s mark of .509 knocking the Big O off the perch he has held for far too long.

“I’ve got no comment on that,” Nesterovic said laughing following practice on Monday.

“But I played with Oliver when I was in Minnesota.

“We’re pretty much the same height and the same weight.”

Nesterovic actually had about three inches on Miller in height and gave way — by at least 70 pounds— in the weight department.


http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/02/22/12989421.html

[Allanon]

WTF is up with the Raptors?

I just saw the Raptors recent record.

5 losses in a row?
Only 1 friggin win in their last 10 games?

[resistanze]

WTF is up with the Raptors?

I just saw the Raptors recent record.

5 losses in a row?
Only 1 friggin win in their last 10 games?

As soon as Bosh went down they became useless. Now he's back and they're struggling to find a groove.

[ploto]

Bosh was hurt. Now, Bosh is back and the team is still imploding.

Expect Jose to start next game.

[ploto]

Much needed win tonight-- behind by 12 with 7 minutes to go and a one-point victory over the Hawks!

[ploto]

Meanwhile, the Raptors are not just sitting around. Rather, Colangelo is shopping Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack with an eye toward making trades before July 1. The same source told me that a Turkoglu trade was already in the works and could happen by the draft. While the source was confident something would happen, the source didn't disclose the potential destination(s). The Calderon and Jack discussions are moving more slowly, but over the past few days the Raptors have been pressing forward on those fronts as well.

At the same time, the Raptors appear to be closing in on a trade for an additional first-round pick. Colangelo has called every team with multiple picks looking for something in the 20s, according to sources. He’s offering cash (the team can pay up to $3 million for a pick) to any team that doesn’t want to make a three-year commitment to a late first rounder. A few teams, including the Thunder and Nets, have said no. But teams with multiple first-round picks (like the Grizzlies) or teams trying to save cash or a luxury tax hit (see the Orlando Magic) are in Colangelo’s sights...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16700/raptors-cleaning-house

[Rappin' Raptor]

http://jaysjems.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/rudy-gay-raptors.png?w=510

[Brazil]

angel_luv :lol

[Mel_13]

angel_luv :lol

At least she didn't change her team allegiance every time Rasho moved to a new team.

[Clipper Nation]

angel_luv :lolI don't know. Maybe.


I have not rulled out the possibility, but I don't have enough information yet to be certain one way or the other.


If Senator Obama has addressed the anti Christ accusations, I would be greatly interested to hear what he had to say.
Have any articles/ quotes?

[Clipper Nation]

At least she didn't change her team allegiance every time Rasho moved to a new team.

You may all think I am crazy.
But at least you can know I am not a liar because I tell you EXACTLY what I believe, regardless of how popular or unpopular my view is.




Someone, someday WILL be the anti christ, so I am not sure why you find so shocking the fact that I am open to Obama proving to be he.
Again, I admit nothing has been absolutely proven- yet.

[Brazil]

I don't know. Maybe.


I have not rulled out the possibility, but I don't have enough information yet to be certain one way or the other.


If Senator Obama has addressed the anti Christ accusations, I would be greatly interested to hear what he had to say.
Have any articles/ quotes?


You may all think I am crazy.
But at least you can know I am not a liar because I tell you EXACTLY what I believe, regardless of how popular or unpopular my view is.




Someone, someday WILL be the anti christ, so I am not sure why you find so shocking the fact that I am open to Obama proving to be he.
Again, I admit nothing has been absolutely proven- yet.

:lol

pure comedy gold tbh

[lefty]

thats a bump from hell

[Brazil]

BTW this angel_luv anti christ story was way before CN joined ST. Does Elnono busting his troll or the explanation is going to be something like I read that on an old bumped thread ?

[Clipper Nation]

Somebody did actually link to it in the runup to the election, tbh... I also used to lurk for a while before I started posting, but no, I'm not a troll :lol

[Brazil]

Somebody did actually link to it in the runup to the election, tbh... I also used to lurk for a while before I started posting, but no, I'm not a troll :lol

Sup Elnono still on dat video game?