Raptors News

[angel_luv]

Raptors host Houston tonight.

Dajmo Raptors. :)

[lefty]

Rockets on fire :dizzy

[angel_luv]

Boosh! We lost. :(

Slokar at least was perfect from the field for 4 points. Good job. :)

[lefty]

No it was Rasho's fault :p:

[velik_m]

Yao > Rasho

[ploto]

Rasho puts up a big fight

Nesterovic holds his own against Yao


When the Rockets' huge centre Yao Ming is still fresh, he is perhaps the NBA's most dominant inside presence. But when he carries that big 7-foot-6, 310-pound body around the floor, running on fumes, as he did most of last night, he is just an ordinary Yao.

"I don't think he's in the right shape yet after that injury," Raptors' hulking centre Rasho Nesterovic said, after bumping and grinding with the Chinese baller for 13 minutes at the start of the first and third quarters. "I'm sure once he's going to be completely fit and in good shape it'll be even tougher to guard him."

The running of the Yao at the start of each half was Nesterovic's assigned task and to their credit, the refs let the big man do his job. The game within the game with the two giants banging was unbelievable. Rasho and Yao did everything but throw punches in eight early minutes of rock 'n' roll in the low post. Yao did throw a vicious elbow that connected with Nesterovic's ribcage in the first round ... uh, quarter.

"You have to play him physical and try and tire him out," the 30-year-old Slovenian centre said of his exhausting night. "They let us play a pretty tough game. For a minute, it felt like a heavyweight fight. You try and make him as tired as possible so he's not going to make some easy shots that he would usually make. He's such a big presence under the basket. Not just a big body, but he knows basketball so good."

It went unnoticed and unappreciated by the disappointed Raptor fans, but by the time Rasho was done working over Yao, the towering Rocket was bent over and holding the hems of his shorts gasping for air, but such is Yao's influence that even his panting, one-count-slower presence created space for other Rocket shooters. That's a star.

"I try to prove something," Nesterovic said. "It's always a challenge, so I just try to do my best to do my job as good as I can to make his job as tough as possible."

In just over 13 minutes on the court last night, all with Yao on his dance card, Rasho held the Rockets superstar to six points on 2-for-6 shooting, with three rebounds. In Yao's other 20 floor minutes, vs. Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh and the rest of the leaner, more athletic Raptor defenders, he scored 17 points, with nine rebounds.

However, the die was cast early in this one. On this night, it was the supporting cast led by ex-Raptors Tracy McGrady, with 24, and Rafer Alston, with 23 points and nine assists, that foiled the Raps' strategy of physical attrition with Yao.

When Nesterovic was doing his dirty work and the Rockets' all-world centre was still his freshest, in the first eight minutes, Houston built a 26-8 lead.

There's no doubt that even though the result of the game proves how far the Raps have to go to join the league's elite teams, Nesterovic's head-to-head effort was business as usual. But this guy Yao's a superstar and he can influence events by his mere presence.

When the Raptors rolled into H-Town and crushed the Rockets 106-90 back on Feb. 28, Yao was still days away from returning to the lineup. This time, on the road, the Rockets turned it around to win by 14. That speaks volumes of Yao's value.

With the playoffs looming, just over a month away, the presence of Nesterovic, the Raptors' only version of a traditional NBA big man, takes on more importance. The playoffs are all about bashing big bodies like last night and since the likely first-round foes for the Raptors, as it currently stands, could be either the Bulls, with Ben Wallace, or the Heat of Shaquille O'Neal, Nesterovic's blunt talents will come into play.

"We're going to definitely meet big people," Nesterovic agreed. "For many years, now, in a row, the teams with good big people are in the finals."

Unfortunately, Nesterovic doesn't quite rank in the elite company of big men with Shaq and Ben Wallace and Tim Duncan, to give the Raptors that same historical edge, but in bringing it up, he clearly knows his NBA history.
LINK (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/193057)

[angel_luv]

Yao did throw a vicious elbow that connected with Nesterovic's ribcage in the first round ... uh, quarter.



Yao's on my list. :monkey :lol


Seriously though, that is an excellent article- it tells the real story, what you wouldn't know just looking at a box score.



"I try to prove something," Nesterovic said. "It's always a challenge, so I just try to do my best to do my job as good as I can to make his job as tough as possible."
Sho's awesome. Fear the Sho! :)

[angel_luv]

I want to go:

http://www.nba.com/raptors/raptorcom/red_party_2007.html

[angel_luv]

Raptors about to play the Knicks.

Time for us to start another winning streak. :)

[themvp]

Wow! What an atmosphere in MSG! :grim:

[angel_luv]

Wow! What an atmosphere in MSG! :grim:


You have league pass? Lucky! :)

[themvp]

You have league pass? Lucky! :)

Not really :oops

I can PM you if you want.

[angel_luv]

Not really :oops

I can PM you if you want.

Not if I PM you first. :)


What the heck happened to the Raptors in the third???? :depressed

[lefty]

Raps being POUNDED by Knicks !

[Chris Childs]

My Knicks are OWNING the cRAPTORS MUaahahahahahaahahahahha

[Chris Childs]

71-51

[angel_luv]

The Raps had better put together and awesome fourth quarter. I know they can do it. :)

[themvp]

35 - 13 3rd Q for Knicks!

[lefty]

Raps are not playing well ; too many turnovers

Did they party last night? or maybe they were devastated by Toronto's loss to Montreal saturday (NHL ; as a matter of fact, Bosh knows some Maple LEafs players)

[angel_luv]

Hello- newsflash... we're playing the Knicks. Come on guys!

[angel_luv]

This is just bad.

[Chris Childs]

Hello- newsflash... we're playing the Knicks. Come on guys!

What are u trying to say? :cuss

[angel_luv]

Slokar sighting! :)

[resistanze]

What are u trying to say? :cuss

Weren't you a Raptor during their playoff runs during 1999-2001?

[angel_luv]

Malik scored- stinker. :)

[angel_luv]

:lol not that time Malik! :)

[themvp]

:lol @ Slokar

[angel_luv]

:lol @ Slokar


Wait- did I miss something?

[lefty]

"Raptors sucked, Raptors sucked, Raptors sucked, ladies and gentleman..."

[angel_luv]

Aw.. I saw Sho. :)

[themvp]

Wait- did I miss something?

His airball few minutes ago... It was a bad one!

[themvp]

Nice dunk by Graham!

[angel_luv]

His airball few minutes ago... It was a bad one!


I missed it... must have been typing. :)

[angel_luv]

Guess the winning starts next game. :)

[ploto]

Soaking it All in From the Sidelines: Uros Slokar


(TORONTO) - Two summers ago, I remember walking into the Raptors' practice facility at Air Canada Centre for a press conference that was being held to introduce Toronto's latest draft selections. On a make-shift stage, sitting at a long table, were Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham, Roko Ukic, and a guy I will admit I had never heard of, Uros Slokar.

Slokar was 22 years old at the time, but he looked more like 16 - at best! If not for his 6'11" frame, I would have guessed he was an MLSE intern, not a professional basketball player.

Most of the media in attendance were directing their questions at Villanueva and Graham, and there was even a little buzz about Ukic as well, a young guard that was projected by some to be a first round pick that year (he went in the 2ND round, 41ST overall).

However, not one question was posed to Slokar. He simply sat behind a microphone on stage, smiling from ear to ear, taking it all in.

When the press conference was over, I strolled over to Slokar, and introduced myself. We chatted for a couple of minutes and I walked away from our conversation not knowing if I'd see the guy again in Training Camp later that year, or if he'd be a "project" for the Raptors - stashed away back in Europe for years to come.

The Slovenian forward did indeed return to Europe for the 2005-06 season, where he helped Benetton Treviso win the Italian National Championship.

But when camp opened in Kitchener-Waterloo this past October, Slokar was back on North American soil, and the word was that he had a legit shot at making the Raptors' roster. If for no other reason than honing his skills against NBA talent, Toronto - thin up front anyway - figured Slokar would be better off on this side of the pond, as opposed to going back over to Europe.

Selfishly, I'm glad the Raptors made that decision - to keep Slokar with the big club. It's been a pleasure to get to know Uros - and I've got to tell you, he's one of the funniest people I have ever met. In a league full of egos and arrogance, Slokar is the most laid-back, mild-mannered, quick-witted guy you'll find.

"I always try to be open with people because … if you go at him like, 'I'm a big star; I'm a big person; I'm an NBA player and you're not', that's the worst thing you can do," he said. "If you approach a person and act like a normal person - not 'Superman' - you can show people that you're here not only for yourself."

He added with a laugh though: "I would be glad to play with Superman though because we'd win the Championship immediately."

It's that sense of humour that makes Slokar so likable. I'm convinced if he were playing just a little bit more, he'd be an instant favourite for Raptors' fans. He's still developing his nose for the ball in terms of becoming a better rebounder, but he's got a smooth stroke - with range (even 3PT range) - and a soft touch too. However, with such a limited role on the Raptors, folks haven't had a chance to literally see Slokar play, let alone hear him in interviews and sound-bites. Yet you won't hear him complain for one second about how this year has gone.

"Yeah, I've had a lot of time to watch," he said. "I knew when I came over here that I wouldn't get a lot of chances this first year so I basically devoted my time to working on my body, working on my game, looking at other players, preparing for next season, and looking at what the NBA is all about. I kind of look at guys like … Andrea, Rasho, (and) Jorge … what they had to do to get over here and get the minutes.

I'm learning from them a lot - especially Rasho - he's giving me advice every day."

In fact, the two Slovenians are hanging out so much, they've developed a bit of an Abbot and Costello act - constantly cracking jokes and spewing their good-natured sarcasm at anyone who will listen. Raptors' assistant coach Jim Todd calls them "The Blues Brothers", but I don't know if even Akroyd and Belushi could handle Uros and Rasho.

"At the beginning of the season I was (being mistaken) for everyone from Andrea Bargnani to Rasho Nesterovic to Kris Humphries," said Slokar. "Well, I'm kind of joking (about Humphries). Nobody mistakes me for him."

But now, after five months, (people) know who I am and that's kind of cool. Now I don't have to sign anymore Rasho Nesterovic pictures!"


That connection to his fellow countryman has been huge for Slokar, as he's had to make the transition to living in Canada - in North America - for the first time. Though he told me he's used to being away from home - having played outside of Slovenia since 2003 - there's little doubt having a friend in Toronto helped ease the uncertainty of a new team and a new league. On top of that, Slokar played with Andrea Bargnani (2003-06) and Jorge Garbajosa (2003-04) while he was a member of Benetton.

"The opportunity (to come to the NBA) came and I said 'sure, why not'. I've got guys that I played with (so) I am familiar with the surroundings around me," he said.

He added that coming to the NBA "was a personal decision to broaden my horizons. I played in the top level in Europe; I played on the bottom level of Europe; I have played on all levels in Europe already."

Though he has played in only 15 games this season (35:52 total minutes), he said he doesn't regret making the decision to leave Europe.

"I'm glad I'm around (this season) and we're doing really well. Even if I don't play, I just try to keep up the spirits of the other guys."

However, that doesn't mean Slokar isn't hungry to do more and play a greater role for this team in future seasons. And he's not driven by money or fame; he is driven by a love of the sport and a hunger for winning.

"When you see a picture of Michael Jordan, it doesn't say: 'He has $500 million'; it just says 'Michael Jordan: Champion'. That's why people know him," he said.

"There are guys who were in the league that had $50 million and nobody knows who they are or where they are. But there are guys who just made a big impact - not caring about the money - or what people said about them - and I think that's what's most important and everybody should concentrate more on that."

LINK (http://www.nba.com/raptors/raptorcom/smith_031907.html)

[angel_luv]

Great minds Ploto. I was about to post the same article.

Here are the pics that were with it:

http://i9.tinypic.com/4ibenp4.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/2wd3892.jpg

[angel_luv]

I met Uros when the Raptors were here. The article is right about how nice he is. :)

[ploto]

Not about the Raptors, but I thought some Slovenian posters who come in here might like to see this:

Nets' Nachbar serves as president of team in Slovenia

In his role as New Jersey's sixth man, Bostjan Nachbar is nothing if not efficient. The supersub is a whirling dervish on the court, whether it be bombing from behind the three-point line (39 percent for the season) or going hard to the hole (Nachbar has had several YouTube-caliber dunks this season). Nachbar has become an indispensable part of the Nets' rotation.

As a team executive, well, let's just say Nachbar is absentee.

That's not a bad thing, though. In addition to his duties in the Nets' frontcourt, Nachbar doubles as the president of Kosarkaski Klub Koper, a first-division team in the Slovenian Men's League based out of the city of Koper. He is the de facto face of the 40-year-old franchise despite spending most of his time living an ocean away.

Two years ago, while a member of the New Orleans Hornets, Nachbar, 26, negotiated a deal with Koper that gave him the right to run the team for three years. While Nachbar spends most of Koper's season Stateside (the NBA and Slovenian League's seasons coincide), Nachbar's father, Vlado, a former basketball coach, runs the day-to-day operations.

"Basketball in Slovenia isn't as big as it was six or seven years ago," Nachbar says. "My father and I want to make it big again, give kids an alternative to playing soccer."

As Nachbar points out, basketball has faded in Slovenia since the late 1990s, when NBA players like Nachbar, Toronto's Rasho Nesterovic and Charlotte's Primoz Brezec starred in the league. Growing up, Nachbar struggled with the politics of playing in his homeland, as the local teams (which have low operating budgets) clung to their talented players, refusing to let them sign more lucrative deals with powerful Euroleague teams.

"I know how hard it was for me," says Nachbar, whose brother, Grego, plays for the team. "With my team, I want to be just the opposite. I want to help these young kids develop so they can go on to bigger and better things."

The club has thrived under Nachbar. When he took over, Koper was floundering at the bottom of the First Division. Support was at an all-time low and the team was in danger of dropping into the country's Second Division, which happens automatically when a team finishes in last place. But with an operating budget of just over $200,000 (the highest budget in the league is $700,000), Nachbar has overhauled not only the senior team but also a junior, cadet and pioneer team that has players as young as 14.

"A lot of other teams pay a lot of money to older players then fold when they don't win," Nachbar says. "I didn't want that. I want to make sure the younger players get a chance to play."

His popularity in Slovenia has brought in sponsors, and Nachbar takes every opportunity in the offseason to meet with potential sponsors as well as the Koper mayor to drum up support. During the summer he travels back to Koper, where he recently built a house, and sits in on team meetings and occasionally scrimmages with the players. When the Nets' forward reports to NBA training camp in October, Vlado sends his son tapes of the team's games and Nachbar will follow the club's statistics over the Internet. The two talk basketball by phone several times a week.

"We make most of the decisions together," Vlado says. "Boki will look at the tapes and give me his opinion."

Nets coach Lawrence Frank, for one, isn't surprised Nachbar has made the conversion from player to executive.

"Boki is a smart guy," Frank says. "A lot of former players become general managers. I could see Boki in an NBA front office someday."

Nachbar's teammates are equally as supportive -- to a point.

"I know he would do a great job," Richard Jefferson says. "But if he asks me to suit up for his team, no way."

Nachbar says he will continue to run the team through the end of the year, when he will make a decision whether to stay on as team president. Surely a man who makes $2.5 million per season could use the extra paycheck, right?

"No money," Nachbar says with a laugh. "I do it because I love working with these kids. As long as their interest is there, I'll be there."
LINK (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/chris_mannix/03/19/nachbar/)

It is always interesting to look forward to what you could see a player doing after his playing days are over. I could easily see Rasho as a scout- maybe scouting European players for an NBA team.

[angel_luv]

That was an interesting article. Boki is multi talented. :)

[angel_luv]

:lol

The article made me forget why I came in here. :oops

Toronto hosts Orlando tomorrow. Sho and Hedo get to have a reunion. :)

[lefty]

Can u believe that ? my brother and a colleague have been sent to Toronto for 5 days, and their company got them FREE tickets for tomorrow's game (Toronto vs Orlando) :bang :bang :bang :bang

[angel_luv]

Can u believe that ? my brother and a colleague have been sent to Toronto for 5 days, and their company got them FREE tickets for tomorrow's game (Toronto vs Orlando) :bang :bang :bang :bang

Maybe the colleague gets locked in a supply closet right before tip off? :)

[lefty]

Maybe the colleague gets locked in a supply closet right before tip off? :)

Damn ; u are aware of my plan.:lol

The weirdest part ? going there (on monday), they didn't know anything about that ; this evening, my brother called me : " U know what? our bossed called us this afternoon to tell us that free tix for Raps-Magic were waiting for us" ; I'm like :wtf
My bro watches NBA games on occasion, but he is not a hardcore fan like me ; so, it should have happened to me ; last time I went to Toronto, I had to pay for a ticket :cry
I think I'm gonna join his company ; 3 months ago, he was offered an XBOX 360 :dizzy :dizzy
Xbox 360, free NBA :cry :cry :cry
But I'm happy for him ; It's gonna be his first attendance @ NBA basketball , but he 'd better get an autograph from Andrea :hungry:

[Bruno]

but he 'd better get an autograph from Andrea :hungry:

Bargnani is out for one month because of an appendicitis.

[angel_luv]

Poor Nani. Feel better!

I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty. :)

[mardigan]

Updated: March 21, 2007, 11:14 AM ET
Raptors' Bargnani has appendix removedESPN.com news services

TORONTO -- Rookie Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani underwent an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday morning and no timetable has been set for his return, the team said.

Bargnani is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days.

According to Italian media reports, Bargnani, 21, became ill after practice Tuesday and had the surgery overnight.

"He's just waking up right now, but everything is fine. He seems to be doing well," Toronto assistant general manager Maurizio Gherardini said Wednesday morning from Mount Sinai Hospital.


Bargnani, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, is averaging 11.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors.

Bargnani and Portland's Brandon Roy are considered the top candidates for rookie of the year. Bargnani is coming off Eastern Conference rookie of the month honors for February, when he averaged 13.5 points on 50 percent shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[lefty]

Damn ! ok now I want an autograph from ....Sam Mitchell ; I really like him

[velik_m]

Poor Nani. Feel better!

I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty. :)

Nani? :lmao

Hope Andrea will be OK.

[angel_luv]

I didn't know what else to nickname him. If you have a suggestion...

Maybe Andy?

[lefty]

Poor Nani. Feel better!

I hope your brother gets you an autograph or something else cool, Lefty. :)

Tks; IF he gets a chance

[lefty]

I didn't know what else to nickname him. If you have a suggestion...

Maybe Andy?

Let's call him Gnagna

[lefty]

There is a basketball team in Canada?

I thought all those yokels liked was watching a bunch of thugs beat each other up with their sticks and listening to Don Cherry's racist rants.

Well, basketball was invented by ... a Canadian
The 2 time MVP is... Canadian
Hockey can be fun to watch

And yes Don Cherry is an idiot

[ploto]

http://www.academyfloral.com/09.products.other/balloons/images.large/gw.balloons.jpg

[lefty]

Ok; it's gametime; hope I'll see my brother on TV :cell

[resistanze]

Raptors Win.

Man, Orlando is REALLY bad.

[lefty]

Yup

[ploto]

Great win for the Raptors without 3 of their top 7 players. Props to Bosh and TJ for playing almost the entire game. Rasho did a nice job on Howard- in his 30 minutes of play, he held him to 8 points and 4 rebounds-- to Rasho's 5 rebounds! Rasho actually outrebounded Dwight Howard tonight in their time on the court together!! Nice play off the bench for Graham, Humphries, and Dixon.

[angel_luv]

Sho was perfect from the field. :)

5 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot too.

[ata]

Sho was perfect from the field. :)

5 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot too.
And the most importat stat (+/-) +13

[lefty]

I didn't know Sammy played for the great Celtics :

(at 00:48 in the video )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS_RVygc-bA&mode=related&search=

[lefty]

Oups, sorry , I made a mistake :donkey

[ploto]

“I think it will take (him) a day or two to realize what he went through,” said Raptors assistant general manager Maurizio Gherardini. “Coming out of surgery, his concern was ‘I want to play, I want to play.’”

LINK (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/ulmer.html)

[T Park]

Dwight Howard let Rasho Nesterovic outrebound him?

Howard must have a torn ACL or a broken leg or something.

[lefty]

Dwight Howard let Rasho Nesterovic outrebound him?

Howard must have a torn ACL or a broken leg or something.
:lol :lol :lol

[RaptorsFan]

The Raps are just torching Denver right now. 72-43 at the half. The Nuggets missed their first 15 shots from the field and AI and Melo have looked like garbage the entire game. George Karl looks ready to slit his wrists. Garbajosa with a career-high 21 already, and we're only at halftime. TJ Ford with 10 points, 11 assists so far, could be the game where he goes for 20-20. He had 26 and 18 in our first game in Denver.

[angel_luv]

Stupid sport radio here- they gave the scores to so many games but not one of them the Toronto game.

They had me thinking the guys didn't play today.

[angel_luv]

You've got to be kidding! :pctoss

NBA.com has the Nuggets box score up but not the Raptors.
It is a conspiracy!

[angel_luv]

Whoosh-

Sho- 9 points ( 4 of 6 from the field), perfect 1-1 from the free throw line ( must have been an and one :cheer) , 5 blocks, 4 rebounds, and an assist

Slokar got to play- yea! :) He scored three points... not bad for only being in 4 minutes. :)


Yea for a great win! :)

[angel_luv]

http://i7.tinypic.com/35jayp1.jpg

[ploto]

Rasho was a beast tonight-- with 5 huge blocks and a little controversy...


Accusations fly after Denver’s Reggie Evans steps under Chris Bosh
The Canadian Press


TORONTO — Accusations of foul play were flying back and forth after Denver’s Reggie Evans knocked Chris Bosh out of the Toronto Raptors’ 121-94 victory over Denver on Friday.

Bosh went down with a sprained right ankle when he landed on Evans after taking a third quarter jump shot.

Toronto’s leading scorer was up and walking after the game. Bosh said his ankle wasn’t badly swollen and that he would likely have returned had the game been close. He’s expected to be healthy in time for Toronto’s next game, a trip to Boston on Monday.

Some of the Raptors accused Evans of playing dirty by stepping under the airborne Bosh.

“If you don’t jump to contest the shot there’s no reason to step towards somebody,” Bosh said. “That’s my opinion.”

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell denied his team was playing tit for tat when Raptors forward Rasho Nesterovic smacked Evans across the mouth in the fourth quarter.

“I’m not an advocate of dirty play and I don’t believe in getting people back,” he said. “The thing I’m cognizant of is that all these guys have got a career and if you’re going to start taking cheap shots at people then you’ve got to think of people’s liability.

“You play hard, you play clean and you play fair, but there’s no place in the game for dirty tactics and cheap shots. I would never tell my guys to do anything like that.”

Evans, who came away with a badly-split lip, wasn’t convinced.

“For (Nesterovic) to swing like that and have his fist balled up, that let me know he did it on purpose,” he said. “Look at it. The tape doesn’t lie. He had his fist balled-up; he’s swinging.”

Nesterovic, who was called for a flagrant foul, said Evans’ earlier play against Bosh was “a little bit dirty.”

“There’s not many guys who try to injure other guys,” he said. “I don’t want to believe he did it on purpose.”

Nesterovic insisted he was merely going after the steal.

“I tried to get the ball a couple of times before that and I was just too late” he said. “I just caught him on his face.”

Bosh acknowledged that shooters are in a vulnerable position once they leave their feet.

“There’s been incidents prior to today where guys have been stepping into their space,” he said. “It’s dangerous for the jump shooter because he can’t help it.”

Asked whether Evans deserved a suspension, Bosh didn’t bite.

“I have no idea, that’s for the league to make their decision,” he said.

Evans, who was spitting up blood in the shower after the game and still bleeding as he spoke to the media, said he was “extremely” angry.

Underneath, however, he remained philosophical.

“As long as I’m able to eat my food I’ll be all right,” he said.


LINK (http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=aaa7ff7a-c999-452b-84e1-602df0258be4)

[Dario]

Nice

[ploto]

More...

Riled Raptors strike with vengeance

Rasho pounces on Nugget after Bosh sprains right ankle



Messages can be sent with plausible deniability, as the Raptors proved last night.

With Chris Bosh in the locker room nursing a sprained right ankle thanks to an incident involving Denver's Reggie Evans, veteran Raptor centre Rasho Nesterovic wasn't about to let the deed go unpunished.

So for all the good things the Raptors did in a thorough 121-94 pasting of the Nuggets before an over-capacity crowd of 20,120, it was Nesterovic's flagrant foul for laying out the Denver power forward and bloodying his mouth that dominated post-game discussion.

But Nesterovic, Bosh and coach Sam Mitchell all had the good sense to offer plausible explanations for the hard yet significant foul.

"I just tried to get the ball like a couple of times before that," said Nesterovic. "I was just too late and I just got him on his face."

However, Nesterovic pulled no punches when asked whether Evans is someone you need to watch yourself around. "Yeah, sometimes," said the Raptor.

Bosh's injury – a sprained right ankle that will be re-examined today although he said there was no swelling and minimal pain after the game – came after he missed a jump shot with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and Toronto leading 85-53.

It looked as if Evans, who never left the ground to contest the shot, stuck his foot under the elevated Bosh, who came down on it.

"I felt pain, I felt my foot rolling and I knew he had stepped in my space," said Bosh.

"They've been talking about it a lot this year, there've been incidents prior to today where guys have been stepping into (a shooter's) space," said Bosh. "It's dangerous for a jump shooter because you can't help it.

"If you don't jump to contest a shot, there's no reason to step towards somebody, that's my opinion."

Mitchell, whose team played as well as it can in building a 72-43 halftime lead, said he'd never advocate retribution.

"You play hard and you play clean and you play fair, there's no place in the game for dirty tactics and cheap shots," he said. "I would never tell my guys to do a thing like that."

However, in about his next breath, he added: "I've never seen a guy block a shot with his foot so I'll leave it at that."

Evans denied doing anything intentional to Bosh but figured Nesterovic's smack was definitely a message

"I think he did come down on my foot," Evans said of the Bosh play. "If that's worth hitting me, then okay, cool.

"But the end of the day if they think I did that on purpose what can I do about somebody thinking like that. I know deep down inside I ain't doing anything but hoopin'."

As for his bloody lip, he wasn't sure who did it but he was sure it was done intentionally.

"He just hit me on my lip, hit me pretty hard," said Evans. "I didn't know who hit me. All I know it hurt and whoever did it, did it on purpose. Look at the tape. The tape don't lie. If you going to swing at somebody with your fist balled up what's that tell you?"

The Bosh incident took a little away from a stunning performance by the Raptors, who took control of the game in the first three minutes and never let Denver back in the game.

"Coming into the game, we talked about trying to hold Carmelo (Anthony) and A.I. (Allen Iverson) to a certain amount of points but never in my wildest dreams did I think our defence against that team would be as good as it was," said Mitchell.

Jorge Garbajosa had his best game in months, with a career-high 22 points – 21 in the first half – and nine rebounds. He outscored and out-rebounded Anthony (10 points, two boards).

"I think Garbo had probably about as complete a game as you could have, rebounding defensively and shooting the ball," said Mitchell.

LINK (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/195655)

[ploto]

In actual news...



Idaho Stampede Small Forward Luke Jackson has been called up to the Toronto Raptors on a 10 day contract. He has averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists for the Stampede this season, while shooting 48.6% from behind the three point line. This is the second call-up of the season for Jackson, who was signed to a 10 day contract by the Clippers on January 8th.

As the 10th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, Jackson struggled through injuries during his first couple seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After only 46 appearances during two seasons, he was traded to the Boston Celtics during the 2006 pre-season. After failing to make it out of training camp with Boston, Jackson joined the Idaho, where he has played 23 games this season.

March has been the strongest month for NBA call-ups in the past, and Jackson’s signing will mark the 17th call-up of the season. Towards the end of the season, look for more call-ups to come from teams that are eliminated from the NBA playoff race. Last season, there were 8 D-League players added to NBA teams on or after March 15th.


http://www.draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=6&a=1946&mod=comment

Unless the Raptors got some sort of exemption because of Andrea's illness, they have to have waived someone...

[ploto]

Raptors Release P.J. Tucker

(March 24, 2007) - The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday they have released rookie forward P.J. Tucker. Tucker is currently playing with the Colorado 14ers in the National Basketball Development League.

Tucker was selected by the Raptors in the second round (35th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft. He was assigned to Colorado on January 5 and recalled by the Raptors on February 5. He was reassigned by Toronto to the 14ers on March 5. He saw action in 17 games with Toronto, averaging 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds. With the 14ers, Tucker has averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19 games.

Toronto’s roster stands at 14 players. The Raptors are leading the Atlantic Division with a 38-31 mark and face the Celtics in Boston on Monday (Rogers Sportsnet/FAN 590).

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/pressrelease_tucker_032407.html

[angel_luv]

You always beat me Ploto. :worthy
Once again, I'll delete my copy of the article. :)

I am so mad over that Evans garbage. If Evans doesn't stop talking serious smack, I am just going to have to give him one.

Ugh! :lol

[ploto]

The NBA won't take any additional action against the Raptors' Rasho Nesterovic for a flagrant foul when he hit the Nuggets' Reggie Evans in the face. Evans, who said the foul was intentional, believed Nesterovic should have been fined.

LINK (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_5443285,00.html)

[lefty]

Damn, Raptors do suck on the road

[ploto]

Jorge Garbajosa-- out for the rest of the year. At minimum, a broken ankle- Rasho burying his face in his hands was all I needed to see to know how bad it was. Jorge was yelling loudly in pain and was wheleed off on a stretcher.

[angel_luv]

Jorge Garbajosa-- out for the rest of the year. At minimum, a broken ankle- Rasho burying his face in his hands was all I needed to see to know how bad it was. Jorge was yelling loudly in pain and was wheleed off on a stretcher.


No!!!!! What happened????

[ploto]

Lots of speculation as to the extent of the injury...

Doug Smith
Sports Reporter
BOSTON – Losing the game is one thing - the Raptors have shown a remarkable ability to rebound from such desultory affairs - but the loss of Jorge Garbajosa here Monday night is what is going to hurt them more than anything.

On a night when they played one of their most lethargic games of the season, dropping a 95-87 decision to the Boston Celtics, the Raptors also lost their 29-year-old rookie small forward with a broken leg suffered in a ghastly fall with 4.5 minutes remaining.

Trying to block an Al Jefferson dunk, Garbajosa landed awkwardly on his left leg, which practically snapped. As he lay on the court with his foot twisted out at right angle to his leg, it appeared to be one of the ugliest injuries a Raptor has ever suffered.

He was taken off the court on a stretcher and to a local hospital for treatment...

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/196314

[lefty]

Why does that happen to good guys ? :pctoss

Raps are having such a good season, that's frustrating :cry

[ploto]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/daily/mon/garbo_stretcher_hor.jpg
Teammates and opponents couldn't bear to watch as Garbajosa yelled in pain.

[angel_luv]

Thanks for the information Ploto.

I feel so bad for Jorge.

I will pray for him. I am sure his team mates will too. :)

[mardigan]

I love the Jurrasic Park movies because of the Raptors in it

[ploto]

Doctors say surgery to repair Jorge Garbajosa’s broken left ankle and ligament damage around the joint was successful but don’t think he’ll be able to play basketball for six months.

The 28-year-old Raptor forward went through a 90-minute procedure at Toronto Western Hospital this afternoon to repair a displaced left ankle joint with a ligament tear and fractured fibula suffered in a grisly incident during a game in Boston on Monday.

“We are pleased with the reduction of the fracture and restoration of his displaced ankle joint,” Dr. Paul Marks, the team’s medical director, who assisted noted foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Johnny Lau in the procedure, said in a statement released by the team. “Everything is restored to an appropriate anatomic position, and we will now await post-operative recovery and healing of the soft tissue and fracture.”

Garbajosa faces a long, arduous rehabilitation process, one that could take up to six months because of the soft tissue (ligament) part of the injury, the team’s statement said.

The Raptors have 12 games left in this season and whatever number of playoff games they play. Garbajosa won’t be back until the start of training camp next October and his ability to play with his native Spain at the European championships in September is also in doubt.

The chance to play for Spain was important to Garbajosa, and his Toronto teammate Jose Calderon. They were members of the Spanish team that won the world championships gold medal last fall in Japan and were going to be playing in front of home fans for the first time.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/196603

[lefty]

Tks Ploto

[angel_luv]

Ditto that.

Speedy recovery, Jorge!

[ploto]

Big win over the Heat! 96-83

Rasho with a 5 of 6 night for 10 points (1 dunk)- 4 boards and 2 blocks. He held Shaq to 3/8 when he was in the game. :)

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070329/capt.9c09b152a3a2451a99673dde857e24cd.heat_raptors _basketball_cpth101.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/24/fullj.getty-71796635rt07_heat_raptors_8_51_47_pm.jpg

[lefty]

:clap :clap

[angel_luv]

Fear the Sho! That's what I'm talking about. :)
Nice win guys! :)

[ploto]

Update on Garbo. Nice to see some humor in it.

Raptors may have tough task in slowing down injured forward Garbajosa

TORONTO — If Jorge Garbajosa’s recovery depends on how motivated he is to get back on the court, the people that know the Toronto Raptors forward best say that won’t be a problem.

Garbajosa is expected to be out six months after suffering a season-ending ankle injury Monday night in Boston. But few would be surprised to see him back sooner — and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Raptors assistant GM Maurizio Gherardini says the toughest task may be to slow the Spaniard down.

“I’ve had a few Garbo years under the belt, and I know that’s going to be the problem, because he’s such a fierce competitor in everything he does,” said Gherardini. “He’s not going to accept, mentally, that he’s injured. And we’re going to have a tough time to make him understand that he’s injured. That’s going to be the difficult task on his part.”

The Spaniard underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a displaced left ankle joint with ligament tear and fractured fibula at Toronto Western Hospital.

He was released from hospital Wednesday morning.

Dr. Paul Marks, the Raptors medical director who assisted in Garbajosa’s surgery, met with reporters before the Raptors faced the Miami Heat on Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre and said the procedure went well, and there’s no reason to believe the 29-year-old won’t return to top playing form.

“Everything is in the right position now, everything’s lined up,” Marks said of the surgery to secure Garbajosa’s ankle. “I think absolutely the goal, intention, quest to get him back to the status he was at before.”

Garbajosa suffered the gruesome injury late in Toronto’s 95-87 loss to the Celtics, and the loss was a big blow to a Raptors squad chasing its first division title in franchise history and first playoff berth since the 2001-02 season.

At Wednesday’s game, one fan held a sign that read “For Jorge.”

Raptors television personality Chuck Swirsky said he’d received over 1,100 e-mails from fans about Garbajosa.

He was averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, and scored a career-high 22 points in Friday’s win over Denver. But the six-foot-nine forward is also one of the team’s top defenders, and a smart player and team leader whose contributions are not always obvious on the stats sheet.

“Everybody likes him so much as a person,” said Gherardini. “They always envision him as the loyal fighting warrior that the game should have. And they all love him because of that. Name one country in Europe — I had phone calls, messages from all of them.”

Gherardini was watching the Celtics game on TV back in Toronto with fellow Raptors rookie Andrea Bargnani, who had undergone an appendectomy a week earlier.

“(Bargnani) was pale before, but he got even paler,” said Gherardini, laughing.

Gherardini, who was the GM at Benetton Treviso when Garbajosa played for the Italian league team, was with Garbajosa at the hospital before and after the surgery. He kidded with Garbajosa when he woke up from surgery, telling him “You don’t play tonight.”

LINK (http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=3c70f9a8-10b5-411a-ac50-e36af5dcc91f)


It made for a relatively stress-free night for Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell, who was weakened by a bout of food poisoning that caused him to miss the team's morning shootaround.

It was just a coincidence that Mitchell began feeling his first pangs of nausea as he was visiting Garbajosa in hospital on Tuesday...

Garbajosa's toughness carried over to the operating table, where he made do with only spinal anesthetic so that he could be awake during the 90-minute surgery to realign his broken fibula and have two screws inserted in his ankle.

LINK (http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070328.wsptraptors28/GSStory/GlobeSportsBasketball/home)

[ploto]

Some good medical news for once...


Andrea Bargnani expects to start full basketball work in a week and play as soon after that as he can.

The 7-foot Raptor rookie did some light jogging at the Air Canada Centre today, his first work in the gym since having his appendix removed eight days ago.

"I will wait one more week to do contact, to have basketball contact and I can start gradually to get my shape back," he said. "If she says after one week I'm okay, I'll need a couple of practices and then (I can) play.

The Raptors, who are off to face the Washington Wizards tomorrow night, dearly need Bargnani back and healthy for the playoffs. While they've been able to get through his absence in the short term, not having his defence-stretching shooting coming off the bench would be a crippling long-term blow.

Bargnani, who made a silky-smooth three-pointer the first time he touched a ball after his short workout, said the pain from the procedure is pretty much gone.

"There is a little, but that's normal," he said.

LINK (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/197382)

[angel_luv]

That is one prayer answered. Yea! :clap :)

[resistanze]

Mo Pete Ties It!!!

Sheed Style!

[Bruno]

What a game :)
Arenas, Dixon and Mo Pete hitting sick 3 pointers in the last minute of the regulation.
and Bosh owning the OT.

[ploto]

Hope EPSN is enjoying their crappy game between IND and ORL that they chose to show instead of this immediate classic! It had everything-- big 3's-- blocks by both teams-- and a Superstar who took over in OT. I can not believe that Mo ended up with that ball and made the 3-- when he had not even played the entire regulation but the last 9 seconds.

Props to Joey Graham for a great job starting in Garbo's place with 12 big boards.

And great 4th quarter by Dixon who was struggling all night.

Love these assist numbers:
Calderon 8
Parker 7
Ford 6
Bosh 5


Raptors win and have the series at 3-1 for tiebreak purposes.

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

[sandeepgm]

Just followed the game by numbers. Nice to see the raptors doing well. Meeting a veteren team like the heat in the playoffs will be a great challenge for you guys.

[Fillmoe]

sucks to be michael ruffin..... :lol :lol


morris peterson with a clutch 3....... that was a really good game

[ploto]

Youtube might be a good place to look for a clip of Mo's RIDICULOUS shot. :)

[lefty]

Just saw that.....oh-my-god ; funniest play of the history-

[dave]

link to the video
http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/5star/peterson_m_070330.asx&video=blank&nbasite=nba

[angel_luv]

Yea! Go Raptors! :)

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Just saw that.....oh-my-god ; funniest play of the history-
:lol

yeah, I saw on ESPN's recap. It was like, OMG, that guy is gonna get killed in the lockerroom!

If all goes bad for the Wizards that play is gonna come back to haunt that guy.

[resistanze]

Damn. 10 games left with a 7 game division lead. I told my friends they'd make the playoffs this year as an 8th seed. I was never expecting this.

[angel_luv]

link to the video
http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/5star/peterson_m_070330.asx&video=blank&nbasite=nba


Holy Cow!

I was tired when I came in and just now saw the video.

Holy Cow! That was insane! Holy cow!

[angel_luv]

.02 ! And here I thought 2 was an unlucky number. :)
http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/postup_033007.html
March 30, 2007

(WASHINGTON, DC - AP) - Chris Bosh had a huge start and an even bigger finish.

Bosh scored eight of his 37 points in overtime as the Toronto Raptors remained in third spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 123-118 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

The win, coupled with New Jersey's 110-105 loss to Detroit Friday night, reduced the magic number for the Raptors to capture their first Atlantic Division title to four.

The Wizards appeared to have a victory secured until Michael Ruffin's celebratory heave toward the rafters landed in the hands of Raptors guard Morris Peterson, whose three-pointer from 31 feet tied the score at 109 as the horn sounded ending regulation.

``I was hoping it went in, and, shoot, it went in,'' Bosh said of Peterson's desperation heave. ``After that, I was just concentrating on winning the game.''

Ruffin intercepted Anthony Parker's inbounds pass from underneath the Wizards' basket near midcourt and flung the ball high into the air with 1.1 seconds left.

``It was just a natural reaction to throw it in the air,'' Ruffin said. ``I was thinking the time would run out. I guess there ended up being more time than I expected, and I didn't have a good hold on the ball. I threw it off my palm.''

Peterson attempted his game-tying shot with .02 of a second left.

``When I saw (Ruffin) tip it, I looked and I saw I had a chance to get it and it turned out the ball just came to me,'' said Peterson, who played only the final 4.4 seconds of regulation and the last 47 seconds of overtime. ``I looked at the clock real quick and there was like one second, and I just threw it up. Thankfully it went in, gave us another chance _ gave us another win, and I'll take it.''

Bosh, who made nine of his first 11 shots and had 21 points in the first half, managed only eight points in the second half. He shot 4-for-5 in overtime and blocked Gilbert Arenas' layup attempt with three seconds left. Bosh also had 14 rebounds and five assists.

Asked if he had ever seen such an unusual ending to a game, Bosh replied: ``Nah, not really, just on TV. But we were on the receiving end today and it gave us a little bit more time to capitalize.''

``Just wild stuff,'' Bosh said when asked how he could describe the ending. ``I don't know, man, you've got to go to the libraries on that one. I took Mo's shot as a second chance for us. When stuff happens like that, you've got to win.''

``You have to try your best and play as hard as you can because the basketball gods were looking out for us.''

Arenas led the Wizards with 34 points and seven assists. His three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining gave the Wizards a 102-99 lead they did not relinquish until Peterson's desperation heave.

``It was like watching an NCAA tournament game, and it felt like one,'' Arenas said. ``It's hard to lose one like that.''

The victory was Toronto's first in its past seven games in Washington.

DeShawn Stevenson's three-pointer gave the Wizards their last lead at 112-111 with 4:05 remaining in overtime.

Bosh responded with a jumper, a tip-in and two hook shots.

Juan Dixon and Anthony Parker both made two free throws to secure Toronto's second straight victory.

Kris Humphries' three-pointer from the corner tied it at 97 with 1:55 left in regulation. After Arenas made two free throws, T.J. Ford tied it again at 99.

Ford finished with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds. Joey Graham had a career-high 12 rebounds.

Caron Butler had 17 points and seven rebounds for Washington. Stevenson had a season-high 10 rebounds.

Butler's free throw gave Washington a 64-63 lead early in the third quarter, marking the first time the Wizards led since 7-5. Stevenson's three-point play capped an 11-0 run that gave Washington a 69-63 lead.

Graham's three-pointer capped a 10-4 run that gave Toronto a 43-30 lead with 8:49 remaining in the second quarter. At that point, the Raptors were shooting 66.7 per cent.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan then turned to his bench and got a lift from Jarvis Hayes, Antonio Daniels and Darius Songaila. The trio shot a combined 7-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line during a 20-10 run that pulled Washington to 53-50 on Hayes' steal and layup.

The surge also gave the Wizards starters enough rest to make a run of their own in the third.

``Earlier, we were winning a lot of close games at the buzzer,'' Ruffin said. ``Lately, we've been coming up on the short end with different mistakes. Giving up offensive rebounds, throwing the ball up in the air and having it go to the other team. All you can do is get stronger from it, build on it, and try to come out better the next time.''

Notes: Wizards centre Calvin Booth went to the locker room with a dislocated left index finger with 1:54 remaining in the third quarter. He returned to the bench and was available but did not re-enter the game. ... Toronto holds a 23-22 lead in the series between the teams.

[angel_luv]

The guys' reaction is priceless. :lol

[lefty]

The guys' reaction is priceless. :lol

True

[angel_luv]

Lefty- your sig. :nope- you're wicked! Should have stopped with the Coyote.

[lefty]

Lefty- your sig. :nope- you're wicked! Should have stopped with the Coyote.

Sorry, but It started with this thread : http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63226

I couldn't resist :p:

[Burn531]

Onions!! Baby!!! Onions!!!! :lol

I love Sam Mitchell's reaction.

[ploto]

Kris Humphries' three-pointer from the corner tied it at 97 with 1:55 left in regulation. After Arenas made two free throws, T.J. Ford tied it again at 99.

Does the person who wrote this article even know who Kris Humphries is? If he made a 3 from the corner to tie the game with less than 2 minutes to go, it might be as big of a story as Mo's 3. :lol

It was Anthony Parker's 3 pointer.

[angel_luv]

Sorry, but It started with this thread : http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63226

I couldn't resist :p:


I know where it started. The question is, where will it end?

:guilt trip

:lol

[ploto]

Good Luck to Candace Parker- big game Sunday night.

[angel_luv]

Anthony's sis I presume?

[ploto]

Yes- Anthony's little sister- star player at Tennessee, playing in the Final Four. Anthony turned down a chance to compete in the three-point contest at All-Star weekend because he had already made plans to see her play- since he had missed other seasons playing in Israel.

http://www.gballmag.com/img/candace_parker1.jpg

[angel_luv]

Ah! That's sweet.

Good luck Candace. :)

[ploto]

Guess who is going back to the play-offs for his ninth straight NBA season? :cry :cry

Raptors with the 107-94 win over Charlotte and a guaranteed play-off spot. A couple more wins and they clinch the Atlantic Division and go from Lottery Winner to Division Winner in one season. Raptors also have the best record in the East since January 1.

And Bryan will win Executive of the Year- the man whose first major personnel move as GM was to trade for Rasho Nesterovic. :toast :toast

[ploto]

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/af/fullj.getty-71796531rt09_bobcats_raptrs_7_50_26_pm.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070402/capt.f240992839d04d89971a09dfd9c45d23.bobcats_rapt ors_basketball_cpth107.jpg
Nice to have Andrea there today. :)

[angel_luv]

Whoosh! I told you the Raptors would be in the play offs! So exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap

[angel_luv]

That's a good picture of Sho. A.B. looks nice too. :)

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/ulmer_040107.html

Raptors Clinch Play off Spot

April 1, 2007

(TORONTO) -- Morris Peterson will tell you: it was all worth it.

The forced trades of Vince Carter and Antonio Davis. Jalen Rose dressed in black when removed from the rotation.

And the losing, five straight years of it, including seasons of 25 and 27 wins.

“That probably was the toughest things, some of the losses we had,” said Peterson. “All the games we led and ended up losing. If I look at this day, I would go through all the other stuff just to be here today.”

Here today, are the playoffs, with yards to spare. Next will be the Atlantic Division title, the Raptors magic number is now three and there are two weeks of basketball yet to play.

As far as the NBA post-season goes, the Raptors are extinct no more. They are, instead, a versatile, unselfish, hard-working, basketball team with premier weapons in Chris Bosh and TJ Ford and a whale of a bench. If you needed any proof, you needed look only at Sunday's 107-94 pummeling of the Charlotte Bobcats that was nowhere near as close as the score would otherwise indicate.

Bosh had 10 points and five rebounds halfway through the first quarter. He finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds in just over 30 minutes of work.

Six Raptors, Bosh, Anthony Parker (14 points), Juan Dixon (15), Kris Humphries (13) and Jose Calderon (14) hit double figures. The Raptors outrebounded Charlotte 48-34 and reeled off 18 fast-break points to the Bobcats 4. Now, the Charlotte Bobcats are not going to the playoffs, but you get the point.

The Raptors rebuild began with the appointment of Bryan Colangelo as president and general manager and featured nine new players, including the widely-panned acquisition of Ford for Charlie Villanueva.

From the beginning, the Raptors insisted they were playoff worthy but when the club stumbled under the weight of a hideous early schedule, there seemed little evidence that this year would be substantially different than last.

“When we were 2-8 everybody doubted us but we didn’t have any doubt in that locker room that we were a good basketball team,” said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell.

There were a couple of pivotal nights. Limping home in the early going after six straight losses, the Raptors beat Cleveland 97-93. “No one thought we could win that game,” Mitchell said. “The Cleveland game proved that after a long road trip, and we proved to ourselves, that we could beat a good basketball team.”

In mid-December, with Bosh knocked out of the lineup by a sore knee, the Raptors won in Orlando 91-84. Rookie Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points.

“Andrea kind of grew up that night,” Mitchell said.

The varied elements blended together by Colangelo quickly came together.

Anthony Parker emerged as the most fundamentally sound player on the team and a player with prodigious basketball IQ.

Bargnani quickly became a rookie of the year candidate before an emergency appendectomy knocked him out of the lineup. He should be ready for the playoffs.

Fred Jones never found a consistent spot in the rotation. Colangelo swapped him to Portland for Juan Dixon who boosted an already impressive bench.

After a middling rookie season hampered by injury, Jose Calderon emerged as a player whose hustle, shot and court vision, who would earn him a starting spot on the majority of NBA teams.

Before a fractured ankle, Jorge Garbajosa had established himself as a valuable starter.

“I think everybody gets the same credit,” said Bosh. “Everybody came to the table this year, ready to work. We had positives attitudes. No matter how much people didn’t see us coming, we continued to work.”

Peterson, as he usually does, has it right.

“Winning cures all,” he said. “You’ve got to fall before you’ve had some success. That gives you character and makes you hungry.”

[angel_luv]

Good night for the Slovenian Sensations. :)

Sho had a good game- 8 points ( 2 of 2 from the free throw line :) ) 4 rebounds, a steal, and 3 blocked shots.

Brezec also had 8 points ( 3 of 3 from the field; 2 of 2 from the free throw line :) )and three rebounds

Uros made a free throw; all three guys scored. :)

[angel_luv]

In case you can't tell, I'm really excited about the play offs. :)


http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/quotes_040107.html

SAM MITCHELL
Thoughts on clinching a playoff position…
You feel gratification for the guys, the organization, the fans and what we have been through over the past two and a half seasons to get to this point. Happy for them, happy for the coaches and myself included, but we still got some things that we want to try to accomplish. We want to win the division and then try to get home court, go into the playoffs playing well, try to get healthy and then make some noise as well.

Thoughts on keeping your players motivated…
No, I mean these guys are happy but it was Chris Bosh in there saying ‘next step division, next step trying to secure homecourt.’ They understand but it was our first goal to make it to the playoffs like every team, you want to get in and we’ve accomplished that. It’s nice to accomplish your goals because it keeps the guys working. I remember Barry Bonds saying one time that when he is in a hot streak he works harder. And so when you’re winning and achieving things, it should motivate you to work harder because now you know that your hard work hasn’t been in vain.

At what time did you think it all came together?
I just think when we came off the road trip and we beat Cleveland, when no one thought we could win that game. The Cleveland game, even when we lost a couple of games after that, the Cleveland game proved that after a long road trip, because normally the toughest game to play is the first game back after a west coast trip. We proved to ourselves that we could beat a good basketball team. Then the Orlando game, right there in Orlando when Chris was out and Andrea (Bargnani) kind of grew up that night. He stepped up and played big for us, and so did our bench. So there has been a couple of games where as a team we’ve had to step up. Rasho (Nesterovic) right down to all these guys. These guys should all feel proud of themselves because when we were 2-8 everyone doubted us, but we didn’t have any doubt in that locker room that we were a good basketball team. I remember Wayne (Embry) kept saying to me that it takes time when you got a brand new basketball team. We just had to continue to work until those guys played, they allowed the coaches to coach them and they try to do the things that we have asked. They should be proud of what they accomplished because no one thought that we could get here.



Bosh
CHRIS BOSH
How does it feel to be in the playoffs for the first time?
It feels good and I’m still looking for a better feeling once we get everything underway. It feels good just to be in important games. Like I have been saying for the past week or two week, it feels good. It’s general excitement right now because we still have two more goals ahead of us. We want to get home court advantage and we want to lock up the Atlantic division. We still have nine more games to play and we have to concentrate and focus on each game until we clinch both.

Is it important to clinch a playoff spot in front of the home fans?
I think so I think the fans enjoyed it. It just shows how we are turning this whole thing around and it’s good for the fans to be a part of that and to see it.

Thoughts on other guys getting opportunities to play…
I think that is the best thing about this year, everybody has stepped up. I’ve been out, T.J. (Ford) has been out, Jose (Calderon), Garbo’s (Jorge Garbajosa) out, Andrea’s (Bargnani) out and the list goes on and on. Everyone has stepped up at certain points in time with any rotation that we put in the game. We continue to work together, we have that confidence and it is good for us because there is no telling what will happen from here on out.




Humphries
KRIS HUMPHRIES
On today’s win happening to be for bigger stakes…
Yes, it feels good to clinch a playoff spot. For us now we are trying to clinch our division, get home court. Everything builds on itself. You look at where we were at the beginning of the year, what people were saying, now these people are riding with us. It’s been great and we’re just going to build on this.

The last few games the rebounding intensity has picked up…
For us with Garbo (Jorge Garbajosa) being out, and Andrea (Bargnani) being out we lose a lot of height and with that comes some rebounding. Guys got to come in and play hard and get rebounds, like Joey

[ploto]

Happy night for the Parker family. Anthony comes back to the NBA and makes the play-offs and Candace is headed to the championship game. :)


CLEVELAND (AP) -- With Candace Parker making the biggest steal, Tennessee snuck back into the NCAA championship.

Parker wrestled the ball away from North Carolina's Alex Miller in the final minute and the Lady Vols rallied to beat North Carolina 56-50 in a national semifinal on Sunday night, setting up a NCAA title date with Rutgers.

The Lady Vols (33-3) set a Final Four record with 20 steals and outscored the Tar Heels 20-2 over the final 8:08 to earn their 12th trip to the title game -- but only their first since 1998.

It was sweet revenge for Tennessee, which had lost the Cleveland Regional final on the same floor one year ago to the Tar Heels (34-4).

Parker finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Nicky Anosike added 14 points, none bigger than her layup with 2:04 left when Tennessee, down 48-36 with 8:18 to play, finally caught the Tar Heels at 50-all.

North Carolina collapsed down the stretch, just like its men's team did last week against Georgetown.

In the Tar Heels' last 15 possessions, they scored just two points, missed all eight field-goal tries and had seven turnovers.

All-American Ivory Latta had 13 points, but missed three 3-pointers in 1:15 as North Carolina was unable to pull it out.

When the final horn sounded, Tennessee's players poured onto the floor in celebration. Parker, though, walked to mid-court and said, "One more," reminding her teammates there's still work to be done.

LINK (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/recap;_ylt=AmcszyXv0XDpH1ei.hPk2ZNMvrYF?gid=200704 010580)

[ploto]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070402/capt.de45304f41094359a83638de091d1be1.bobcats_rapt ors_basketball_cpth109.jpg
2 of the guys who can really appreciate this season's success

[angel_luv]

Yea Candace! I was rooting for her tonight. :)

[ploto]

Raptors Forward Chris Bosh Named Eastern Conference Player Of the Week

(April 2, 2007) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Monday that forward Chris Bosh was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, March 26 through Sunday, April 1. This is the third time Bosh has won the honour, having previously earned the award for the weeks of January 30 - February 5, 2006 and January 3-9, 2005.

Bosh led the Raptors to a 3-1 record and a playoff berth after averaging a league-high 22.3 points, 14.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He registered four double-doubles and led the team in scoring twice and rebounds in all four contests. Bosh totaled 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in a 95-87 loss to open the week March 26 at Boston. He became Toronto’s all-time career leader in double-doubles (111) with a 13-point, 18-rebound performance in a 96-83 win over Miami on March 28. Bosh scored 37 points, tied for the second highest point total of his career, and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 123-118 overtime victory March 30 at Washington. He finished the week with game highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds in Toronto’s 107-94 April 1 win versus the Charlotte Bobcats...
LINK (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/PR_bosh_POW_040207.html)

[angel_luv]

Good work Chris Bosh.

[lefty]

From ESPN :

The Case For Sam Mitchell


Houston's Jeff Van Gundy or Utah's Jerry Sloan will probably win the Coach of the Year award, and I have no problem with either of those guys taking the honor. But Toronto's Sam Mitchell should be in the conversation.

Without any fear of overstatement, I can say that Mitchell has done a tremendous job this season with the Raptors, who currently hold a seven-game lead in the Atlantic Division.

That alone could be 'nuff said because few were picking Toronto to make the playoffs in the preseason, let alone win its division. But there's much more to the story than that.

First, the Raptors added nine new players this season, including several from overseas. Yet Mitchell's gotten them to mesh together and play as a well-oiled machine. Since starting the season 13-19, the Raptors have gone 28-13.

Second, and in my opinion even more impressively, Mitchell has kept his team winning while his best players have been out with injuries. All four of the Raptors starters outside of Rasho Nesterovic have missed at least six games this season.

Chris Broussard's

:clap :clap :clap So cool ; I've always thought he was a good coach, even when Raps were horrible the 2 previous seasons

[ploto]

Second, and in my opinion even more impressively, Mitchell has kept his team winning while his best players have been out with injuries. All four of the Raptors starters outside of Rasho Nesterovic have missed at least six games this season.
Quite possibly this also tells you how much Rasho has meant to this team.

[angel_luv]

The Raptors making the play offs has reminded what a big deal the play offs are and what a huge accomplishment it is to make it there.

I didn't mean to but I think I got a little spoiled being a Spurs fan in the Tim Duncan era.

I'm really enjoying the renewed perspective. :)

[angel_luv]

Raps in Miami. They can take the Heat. :)

[angel_luv]

I'm so listening to the game right now.


Here to give due props, L.J? :)

[angel_luv]

No, they didn't just turn the radio feed off!
:(

[angel_luv]

Nooooo....
:depressed

[angel_luv]

Sho's kicking some tail tonight. :)

[angel_luv]

What the...

[resistanze]

Haha, I kinda hope the Raps lose tonight. The Wizards lost today, and Miami would move back into the division lead. If Miami wins the division the Raps avoid them 1st round.

[angel_luv]

Put in Mo Pete!!!!!!!! :)

[angel_luv]

If he isn't already. LOL

[dave]

i don't know whats wrong with tj ford, i really don't

[angel_luv]

What happened??

The radio feed cut off and I was at the grocery store.

[angel_luv]

I totally and accidently jinxed Sho's shooting. :( He was perfect until I mentioned it.

I know better than to mention stats during the game... I was just so proud of him.

[ploto]

Tough ending to a great second half by Toronto. They came back from a 15 point deficit-- to be down by only 1 with 26 seconds to go AND the ball.

Bad shooting night for almost all the Raptors (team shot 37.9)- outrebounded as well, but forcing turnovers got them into this game in the second half. They held Miami to only 36 second half points. Luke Jackson played very well.

Rasho 5/10; 1/2 FT 11 points and 9 rebounds

It's OK if Miami wins the Southeast, but we want to be # 3 and have home court and not #4 and not. Miami now has the tie break because only 3 times to play them this season and Miami has won 2 of 3. Raptors must finish a game ahead of Miami, and the Raptors schedule is much tougher with 2 games left against Detroit and 1 against Chicago.

[angel_luv]

Hey so Tennessee won, right? :)

[ploto]

Hey so Tennessee won, right? :)
http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2007/04/04/00/466-0404tenn300.embedded.prod_affiliate.57.jpg


CLEVELAND -- Candace Parker is on track to graduate in December, after 3– years of school and two basketball seasons at Tennessee.

That means Parker is eligible for Wednesday's WNBA draft.

Tennessee officials have said Parker, redshirted because of injury her freshman year, intends to play for the Volunteers another year. So did Parker. "This is where I want to be," she said.

She also has said her career would be completed by a national title. Tennessee won that title Tuesday night against Rutgers.

Theoretically, Parker had until 9 a.m. Wednesday to declare for the draft, in which her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, has the third pick. The Sky, a second-year franchise struggling to build a fan base, probably would trade its entire roster to Phoenix, which has the first choice, for a shot at Naperville's Parker.

"I haven't even talked to Candace about it," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt had said before the title game. "I think there's only one choice. Candace right now is on the biggest stage in women's basketball. And she understands that.

"It's not that she's turning down millions of dollars. I wish we could get to that point in our pro game."

Personable and attractive, Parker could make big bucks in endorsements after turning pro.

Even if most WNBA salaries are around $50,000, she could earn six figures playing in Europe between WNBA seasons

"There's nothing she can't do," Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said of Parker. "I think everybody's always impressed with the beautiful athlete, the beautiful body."
LINK (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/cs-070403wombits,1,1489090.story?coll=cs-home-headlines)

[angel_luv]

Even if most WNBA salaries are around $50,000, she could earn six figures playing in Europe between WNBA seasons

I didn't know it was that low.

[angel_luv]

http://i11.tinypic.com/49g1ikk.jpg

[ploto]

http://i11.tinypic.com/49g1ikk.jpg
Don't like that picture- because Zo blocked that shot. :(

I forgot to tell you about Rasho's bloody nose in the first quarter-- with the blood on his arm and the cotton shoved up his nose.

[angel_luv]

Don't like that picture- because Zo blocked that shot. :(

I forgot to tell you about Rasho's bloody nose in the first quarter-- with the blood on his arm and the cotton shoved up his nose.




That is like twice in the last month he has gotten a bloody nose- major ouch.

[ploto]

^Yeah, but he gave Reggie a bloody mouth- so can't complain too much. :lol

[ploto]

Anthony Parker Receives Atlantic Divsion Sportsmanship Award

The NBA announced Wednesday that Toronto’s Anthony Parker has been selected by a five-member panel of former players as the divisional winner of the 2006-07 NBA Sportsmanship Award. Joining Parker as the other divisional winners are Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Chicago’s Luol Deng, Houston’s Shane Battier, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Elton Brand, and Utah’s Derek Fisher.

The NBA Sportsmanship Award, designed to honour a player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, is voted on by NBA players. The winner will be announced after the regular season.

The 2006-07 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner will be presented with the Joe Dumars Trophy, named after the Hall of Famer and former Detroit Pistons great who played 14 seasons in the NBA and was the recipient of the inaugural NBA Sportsmanship Award in 1996. The six-time All-Star was selected in honour of his distinguished and dignified career and for symbolizing the tradition the NBA wants to recognize with this award.

Former NBA players Mike Bantom, Eddie Johnson, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Kenny Smith and the 2000-2001 Sportsmanship Award recipient Steve Smith, selected the six divisional winners from a pool of 30 team nominees. Each team nominated one of its own players for this award.

The annual award reflects the ideals of sportsmanship -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity -- in amateur and professional basketball, a key focus of the league’s Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA grassroots youth basketball program.

Parker, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, joined the Raptors this summer after six impressive seasons overseas, including five with Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was named Euroleague MVP and first-team All-Euroleague in 2005 and 2006. He was also named 2004 Euroleague Final Four MVP.

Parker is averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 66 games, all starts, with the Raptors this season.

Following is a list of the all-time winners of the NBA Sportsmanship award:

ALL-TIME NBA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERS

Inaugural: Joe Dumars (1996)
1996-1997: Terrell Brandon, Cleveland
1997-1998: Avery Johnson, San Antonio
1998-1999: Hersey Hawkins, Seattle
1999-2000: Eric Snow, Philadelphia
2000-2001: David Robinson, San Antonio
2001-2002: Steve Smith, San Antonio
2002-2003: Ray Allen, Seattle
2003-2004: P.J. Brown, New Orleans
2004-2005: Grant Hill, Orlando
2005-2006: Elton Brand, Los Angeles
LINK (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/pressrelease_040407.html)

[ploto]

No surprise--

Raptors resign Jackson to 10-day contract


The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward Luke Jackson to a second 10-day contract.
Jackson signed his first 10-day with the Raptors on March 25. In his second game of action in a Toronto uniform Tuesday night in Miami, he had 10 points, two rebounds and two assists coming off the bench.

Jackson, 25, was a first-round selection (10th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2004 NBA Draft. He played two seasons with Cleveland, averaging 2.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 46 appearances. He was dealt to Boston on Oct. 13, but was released prior to the start of this season and was playing with Idaho in the NBDL before the Raptors picked him up.

LINK (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/199565)

[angel_luv]

^Yeah, but he gave Reggie a bloody mouth- so can't complain too much. :lol


:lol When I first read your post, I was going to say something to the effect of, " where is the article where Rasho claims whoever bumped him did it on purpose", but I decided to be good. :angel

[angel_luv]

Who did whack Sho, by the way?

I need to know who is on my list. :lol

[angel_luv]

Let's go Raptors! :clap


Hedo needs to stop showing off. :)

[angel_luv]

Yea the Raps won! :)

Holy Cow- who does Hedo think he is? :lol :)


Hedo: 37 points ( 12 of 22 from the field; 6-10 from three point range; 7 of 7 from the free throw line) 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals :wow

[ponky]

best game of the night so far, kudos to the raptors

[angel_luv]

What is this... Sho with a technical???


What happened? What was it like a three second violation?

[ponky]

What is this... Sho with a technical???


What happened? What was it like a three second violation?


for arguing a foul

[angel_luv]

for arguing a foul


Really?

It must have been a terrible call.

[Kobulingam]

best game of the night so far, kudos to the raptors

Yeap. They overcame fatigue and insane first quarter shooting by Magic (and letdown from losing that close game to Heat).

Dwight Howard is athletic but he needs to learn to "affect the game" more like Duncan (and Bosh) do. He has to learn to pass out of good double teams, set good picks, etc. And show some emotion kid!!!

[ponky]

Yeap. They overcame fatigue and insane first quarter shooting by Magic (and letdown from losing that close game to Heat).

Dwight Howard is athletic but he needs to learn to "affect the game" more like Duncan (and Bosh) do. He has to learn to pass out of good double teams, set good picks, etc. And show some emotion kid!!!


I really like the Raptors, even if I'm a Knicks fan :lol

All of their guys are really likeable, it's just a shame that Garbajosa is out.

[ploto]

The officiating in this game was not very good-- on both ends. Shortly after Rasho's T-- he was mad for 3 quarters leading up to that-- Darko got back-to-back T's for arguing a call and had to be restrained by Hedo. That second came awfully quickly.

Ugly game by Toronto but still a win. They played like it was a tough back-to-back and came out flat. Fought back, though, played hard defensively in the third quarter and had a 9 point lead in the fourth. Some really dumb decisions and turnovers let Orlando back in. Good foul shooting from Chris and AP and a miss finally by Hedo at the end to get the win.

Rasho in foul trouble tonight-- sat for quite some time but came in with about 5 minutes to go and Howard never scored again. :) Helped that Dwight Howard also had 7 turnovers tonight. A big offensive board by Rasho in the last minute and a half or so, too. Rasho was fatigued. I can not imagine a much more exhausting back-to-back to play for a defensive big man than Shaq and Howard both on the road on consecutive nights. Maybe the foul trouble helped him have some energy left at the end of the game.

Career night for Hedo-- you can tell he plays like a guy wanting to go back to the play-offs.

Also an amazing night for Joey Graham who had 3 3-pointers tonight when he had only 7 all season leading up to tonight!!!

Game got a little chippy there- with Bosh yelling at TJ-- AP yelling at Hump-- and at the end I laughed when Bosh yelled at Joey before his own FT-- don't foul!!

[ploto]

All of their guys are really likeable, it's just a shame that Garbajosa is out.
I am really impressed that they have gone 4-1 without Andrea and Garbo- including wins over Miami, Washington, and Orlando.

[lefty]

:clap :clap Congrats to Candace Parker (she really looks like her brother :dizzy )

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/5696/parksisfu4.jpg

[angel_luv]

Thanks for the awesome recap Ploto... almost feel like I was there.


Lefty, you're wicked!
:)

[angel_luv]

Any of you in Toronto going to the " Red Party" the Raps are hosting on Wednesday the 11th?

If so, will you please, please bring back a report and pictures?

I wish I was going. :)

[Kobulingam]

Bosh is the bigman of the future in East. I don't care if Oden and D.Howard get 5 dunks a game.

Go raptors!!!!

[lefty]

Thanks for the awesome recap Ploto... almost feel like I was there.


Lefty, you're wicked!
:)

Thanks ! but my Photoshop skills suck

[angel_luv]

Thanks ! but my Photoshop skills suck


Practice makes perfect... just stick to Mavs pics though. :)

[angel_luv]

Game Quotes from last game:
http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/quotes_040407.html
SAM MITCHELL
On the win...
“I’m proud of our guys. Coming off of back-to-backs against these two teams isn’t easy. We got off to a sluggish start but when we got the lead down to something manageable going in to halftime we felt like we gave ourselves a chance to win the basketball game. We had to get a key rebound and start making some shots and just keep the pressure on. (Hedo) Turkoglu had an unbelievable game. He just kept answering whatever we threw at him. I just thought our guys battled. Chris (Bosh) was unbelievable in the back-to-back. Joey (Graham) in that third quarter gave us a big lift offensively. Guys that came off the bench and played came off and played hard and played together.”

On not being able to put the game away:
“We’ve got some young guys that made some mistakes. My message to them has been to just play hard, play together, and I can deal with the mistakes. And the good thing about it is that they made them and their teammates didn’t get down on them. We’re not mad at anyone, we just want our guys to play hard and play together and we can overcome the mistakes if we stay together and we were able to do that.”

On the slow start:
“We’re coming off of back-to-backs. Guys who have been in the NBA a long time know that. They’re playing hard in a game they need to win and we had a tough game last night and with traveling. We kept hanging in there and giving ourselves a chance and got the lead down and were able to take the lead. TJ (Ford) and Jose (Calderon) ran the team excellent and Chris, with the minutes he has to play because of injuries, has just been unbelievable.”

On the game coming down to free throws towards the end:
“We were putting them on the line and they were putting us on the line. We work on free throws and we work on three-point shooting and get shots up there every day. You just have to step up there at that time and make them.”



CHRIS BOSH
It has been physical man. I think the referees are getting ready for the post season. The game that we played last night in Miami was probably one of the most physical games we have played all year. I think that is good for us that we can maintain our own play.”

“First of all, we are getting to the line. That is big for us. The shots aren’t going in sometimes, so to get to the line and make some free throws is big for us. I am glad that we showed a lot of composure.”

On switching to zone defense
“I think they didn’t see it coming. We just wanted to switch it up on them. We just wanted to throw a curve ball at them and see what happens.”

“Yes that was a good call (Grant Hill taking down Bosh late in fourth quarter). I was going for the basketball and he got a piece of my elbow. The referees made the right call.”

“It was energy. We were coming out flat and kind of lackadaisical. We had to pick it up on the defensive end first and keep sharing the ball.”

“I know that we have come a long way. I can count several occasions in my mind that we were down 15 on the road and we did not capitalize on our situation. I am just proud how far the team has come along.”

“We are very aware that we are in the race for third place right now. Every game means something. You can’t take a day off. Home court is very important, so we are going to keep playing.”





JOEY GRAHAM
On today’s win happening to be for bigger stakes…
Yes, it feels good to clinch a playoff spot. For us now we are trying to clinch our division, get home court. Everything builds on itself. You look at where we were at the beginning of the year, what people were saying, now these people are riding with us. It’s been great and we’re just going to build on this.

The last few games the rebounding intensity has picked up…
For us with Garbo (Jorge Garbajosa) being out, and Andrea (Bargnani) being out we lose a lot of height and with that comes some rebounding. Guys got to come in and play hard and get rebounds, like Joey (Graham) did the other night. It just comes down to trying to impose our

HEDO TORKOGLU ( Dummies spelled his name wrong. Should be Turkoglu)
“I was feeling good the whole game. I don’t know what happened, it came out. But we should have taken care of business before that and not win it on last second shots. We had a lot of turnovers, a lot of offensive rebounds we gave up. That’s the reason we lost the game.”

“I never doubted myself, my shots, my confidence the whole year. I’ve had some ups and downs all year but never doubted. Keep attacking; put it to it, I know it’s going to come. Like tonight, it came to me. It’ll help me out, to help get some wins that last six, seven games. I’ve got to help the team when I get a double, like tonight.”

On career high...
“No, you can’t enjoy it. I mean, you always enjoy it when you score and get a career high but it would have tasted better with a ‘W’. That’s the key, to get ‘w’s.”

But what is " It", Hedo? :lol Using the force? :lol :)

[angel_luv]

http://i14.tinypic.com/3yywneu.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/3zi96k0.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/2vv6ds6.jpg

[angel_luv]

I know about the last picture Ploto, but Sho is in it. :)
And it is a rare picture since Howard can barely score when Sho is in the game. :)

[angel_luv]

Hi Slovenian Guy! :)

[velik_m]

Actually it's Hidayet Türkoglu.

[ploto]

After being one of the worst teams in the league last season, the Toronto Raptors are on the verge of claiming one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference this year.

The Raptors may have a shot to clinch the first division title in franchise history when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Coming off a season in which it went 27-55 to finish with the NBA's fifth-worst record, Toronto (42-33) already has locked up its first playoff berth since 2002.

With seven games remaining, the Raptors have a 6 1/2-game lead over second-place New Jersey in the Atlantic Division. They will win the first division crown in the team's 12-year history with a win in this game coupled with a Nets loss at Chicago on Friday.
LINK (http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/article.jsp?content=20070406_144754_5556)

The Raptors will probably be on their way to the airport or in the airplane when the NJ-Chicago game ends. Hopefully, it will be a great flight home with an Atlantic Division title tonight. :)

People just did not understand-- and thought that play-off hopes were just too much to ask for this season. Rasho said early on that if the goal for this team was merely to make the play-offs that it was selling itself short. A division title is their next goal to realize and then the final push to try to hold off Miami for the #3 spot. That will be tough with the easy schedule Miami has, but that is the goal.

I am so incredibly proud of this team this season and so grateful for Rasho's ooportunity to be a part of this monumental time for this franchise. Since he couldn't be a Spur this season, I am truly thankful that he got to be a Raptor.

[Bruno]

And it is a rare picture since Howard can barely score when Sho is in the game.

angel_luv, always the first to do some trash talk.

[lefty]

Practice makes perfect... just stick to Mavs pics though. :)

ok :lol

[angel_luv]

Actually it's Hidayet Türkoglu.


Or Mike. :lol

[angel_luv]

The Raptors will probably be on their way to the airport or in the airplane when the NJ-Chicago game ends. Hopefully, it will be a great flight home with an Atlantic Division title tonight. :)



:toast
Also, I agree with you about Sho being a Raptor.

[angel_luv]

Let's go Raptors! :)

[Kobulingam]

Damn Bosh is unguardable. Hitting those jumpers from just inside 3 pt line. And when he misses those, so many of them are close close misses. Dwight Howard is jealous.

[angel_luv]

They won!!!!!!!!!!!! :elephant :toast :spin :clap

[angel_luv]

:lol

They won several minutes ago... NBA.com = :pctoss

But too happy to care! Whoosh! :)

[angel_luv]

From Raptors.com front page

On the strength of a 15-0 run midway through the third quarter, Toronto erased a halftime deficit and rolled past host Philadelphia, 94-85, on Friday. Chris Bosh racked up 23 points, 13 rebounds and four steals for the Raptors, who moved one step closer to clinching their first division title in franchise history.

What do they mean one game closer? I thought this game did it???

Nevermind... Nets have to lose, that's right.

[ploto]

Chicago beating Nets by a ton.

Dumb Celtics blew it. A Miami loss would have been a huge help.

[angel_luv]

Chicago beating Nets by a ton.

Dumb Celtics blew it. A Miami loss would have been a huge help.


See and NBA.com says the game is still in the second quarter. :rolleyes
Switching over to yahoo so I know what is going on.

[resistanze]

100-68 Bull over Nets?

Raptors are Atlantic Division Champions!

[Kobulingam]

In 2-3 years Raptors should be title contenders (or maybe sooner?).

[angel_luv]

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

:elephant :elephant :spin :toast :king :clap :elephant :)

[angel_luv]

Three cheers for the Raptors- the Atlantic Division Champs who are about to take the play offs by storm!

:elephant :elephant :toast :king :clap :spin :)



Raptors Clinch Division
Toronto erased a halftime deficit and rolled past host Philadelphia, 94-85, on Friday to clinch its first division title in franchise history :elephant .
Chris Bosh had 23 points, 13 rebounds and four steals

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/postup_040607.html
April 6, 2007

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- The Toronto Raptors are taking the Atlantic Division title north of the border.

Chris Bosh had 23 points and 13 rebounds for his seventh straight double-double to help Toronto win its first division title with a 94-85 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

``It's a start,'' coach Sam Mitchell said. ``You come to all of these arenas and they have division championship banners up in the rafters. If you are trying to start a culture of winning, these guys need to start seeing the fruits of their labour and those things are important.''

The Raptors, who already clinched their first post-season berth since 2002, won the Atlantic when Chicago beat New Jersey 105-74 later Friday night. It marked the first time a Canadian-based team won a division title.

Toronto also kept its slim lead over Miami for third place in the Eastern Conference, which would set the Raptors up nicely for a first-round matchup against injury-ravaged Washington.

The Raptors began the season with 2-8 start that gave little hint the playoffs were a possibility. Toronto's 43 wins this season are a 16-win improvement for last season's total of 27, the biggest turnaround in the NBA this season.

``I think it means a lot, especially with the quick turnaround that we've had this year,'' Bosh said. ``It's a great thing. This team overcame a lot of adversity early. Now we have to look ahead to clinching that third spot.''

Anthony Parker, Juan Dixon and T.J. Ford each added 12 points for the Raptors. Toronto had not won a title since its inaugural 1995-96 season, coming in with a .392 career winning percentage and three winning records.

``Nobody believed we'd be able to win our division,'' Ford said. ``Now we're setting standards of how Toronto basketball will be like.''

Andre Iguodala scored 20 points, Montreal native Samuel Dalembert had 15 points, and Andre Miller had 10 points and 11 assists for the Sixers.

The Raptors took control for good with a 15-0 run to close the third quarter that saw all the starters do a little bit of something to contribute, taking some off the load off Bosh.

Bosh has been sensational all season, but especially of late, while the Raptors make their postseason push. He averaged 25.2 points and 13.8 rebounds in his last five games, all without Andrea Bargnani (appendectomy) and Jorge Garbajosa (ankle) to help him in the frontcourt.

``I know I have to pick up my play,'' Bosh said. ``It's near playoff time. I have to step up my role, make sure I'm rebounding, make sure I'm taking good shots and doing my role as the leader on this team.''

The Raptors made 10 straight baskets late in the third quarter to build a 73-61 lead. Parker hit a three that tied the game at 61 and Bosh, who was sharp from the perimeter all game, put the Raptors ahead for good for a jumper from the top of the key.

Parker swished a three from the left side to cap the run.

``I couldn't stop it,'' Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said.

Iguodala made a free throw to open the fourth quarter and end the Sixers' scoreless drought. But the Raptors kept rolling and stretched the lead to 87-71 on a Dixon jumper with 6:29 left. That was Toronto's last field goal of the game, allowing the Sixers to pull to 88-81 on Kyle Korver's three.

Bosh made four free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win and make them find the nearest TV to see if they'd win the division.

``You have to have your defence pick you up,'' Korver said. ``That was the hole we put ourselves in and we didn't have enough to dig ourselves out.''

Notes The Raptors had no fastbreak points and no second-chance baskets. ... Ford left briefly in the third quarter with a split lip. ... The Raptors are only 16-23 on the road

[ploto]

Read the caption :lol
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/99/fullj.getty-71797228jg014_raptors_sixer_10_15_55_pm.jpg
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 6: Darrick Martin #2 and Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 6, 2007 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/38/fullj.getty-71797228jg005_raptors_sixer_8_35_09_pm.jpg

[angel_luv]

hehehe

[angel_luv]

http://i13.tinypic.com/344pbbt.jpg

[angel_luv]

Ah... the guys have to play on Easter. :td
At least they're at home.

[velik_m]

Go for the franchise record!

[angel_luv]

Go for the franchise record!


There you go! :clap

[resistanze]

Raps face the Bulls tomorrow, their probable first round opponent unless they win out. Bulls have been on fire, Raps gotta come prepared.

[angel_luv]

:cheer

[ploto]

Few updates...


Andrea Bargnani took part in his first full practice yesterday – more, in fact, as he stayed after to get in some extra shooting – since having an appendectomy 2 1/2 weeks ago but it's likely going to be another few days before he dons his Raptor uniform again.

With yesterday's workout a light one, given Toronto was coming off three games in four nights and headed for back-to-back games today and tomorrow, Bargnani will need practice this week to get the rust off his game. Barring a setback, the plan is to have him back in uniform Friday against Detroit.


Jorge Garbajosa is coming back. Sort of.

The Raptor forward, whose season ended with a broken leg two weeks ago, is expected at the Air Canada Centre tonight to watch his teammates face the Chicago Bulls.

Bargnani returns for light workout (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/200723)

[angel_luv]

Yea! More prayers answered. :)

Now let's give the Bulls a serious tail kicking- a play off preview, if you will- and call it an Easter. :)

[loveThe23]

The Bulls aren't easy.. you never know what can happen, the #2 seed. :clap but good luck to you Raps, I seriously think you have a good chance with the Easter Conference title. Bosh is a monster.. great great player.

[angel_luv]

They're aren't words for how excited I am right now.

The Raptors are the Truth, baby.

And oh, is my Bull loving mall manager boss going to hear it from me! :elephant

[resistanze]

This team is the real deal! Good win over the Bulls.

I mean I still can't get over the Juan Dixon pickup!

[angel_luv]

Since the game is over, I can talk stats. LOL.

Sho was perfect from the field: 6 points ( 3 for 3). 7 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, and a steal. :)

Man, Parker was on fire from 3 point range... made 6 out of 10. Most impressive.

Great work by Dixon off the bench.

And yea, Slokar got to play, just for a minute but still. :)

[Kobulingam]

Damn. If it wasn't for some crap in garbage time Raps would have won this game by 20.

Now if the Raps can hold off the heat for #3, then they won't have to face the Heat/Pistons until the conference finals.

[BgT]

I watched the game and I have to say Raps were giving some serious beating to Bulls. It was not even close.

[endrity]

when is Il Mago gonna be back?

[resistanze]

^^ I heard against the Pistons on Friday.

[angel_luv]

http://i16.tinypic.com/2vkyvyd.jpg

[ploto]

Rasho put up very nice stats in limited minutes. He didn't need to come back in the fourth quarter with the big lead and a game tomorrow night; plus Chicago went small for parts of this game.

3/3- 6 pts- 7 rebounds- 2 blocks are great numbers for only 19 minutes of play. Ben Wallace didn't do much of anything.

Thank you Charlotte for beating Miami. The refs tried to bail out DWade but he kept missing free throws.

[T Park]

If I didn't know any better, the Raptors are Angel's more favorite team than the Spurs.

A bit sad.

[BgT]

You are the sad thing, ask your mom. :lol

[lefty]

Good thing the Raptors are winning, since Leafs won't make the playoffs :devil :devil :devil

[endrity]

Thank you Charlotte for beating Miami. The refs tried to bail out DWade but he kept missing free throws.
They are known to do that once in a while you know :madrun

[Bruno]

What Raptors have done is really impressive this year. Even if they badly lose in the playoff first round, this season is a huge success for them.
Congrats to them. :)

[angel_luv]

What Raptors have done is really impressive this year. Even if they badly lose in the playoff first round, this season is a huge success for them.
Congrats to them. :)


They're not going to lose and certainly not badly. :)

[angel_luv]

We win again! :elephant

Sho- 12 points ( 6 out of 8) 7 rebounds, an assist


Good work by all the starters- Dixon and Calderon were awesome as well.

[ploto]

Raptors were fatigued and flat for 3 quarters after the big game against Chicago last night, but they played a great fourth quarter. Jose with 12 points in the fourth quarter. Nice that they built up the lead and Kris Humphries got to play so much at home in front of his family. Seven Raptors in double figures.

Awww. KG 7/23. :spin

Rasho played very well in the third quarter when the team was having a hard time getting going, and he scored in a variety of ways in this game; a baby hook, a jumper, a reverse lay up, and, yes, even a DUNK! Rasho always manages one dunk every time he plays back in Minnesota. :)

This was the Raptors 5th game in 7 nights- in 5 different cities. They managed to go 4-1 with no Andrea and no Garbo. Good job.

[angel_luv]

Throw it down, big man. hehe :)

[BgT]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=646461

It seems Rasho and PJ Tucker had a fight and PJ was waived because of the incident. :lol

[ploto]

Tonight at 6:00 PM San Antonio time will air NBA Stories: Toronto Raptors on ESPN 2.

Here's the link for the preview; NBA Stories (http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/specials/nba_stories_toronto_a_block.asx&video=blank&nbasite=nba)

[ploto]

Wow! Never thought I would see the day when someone would finally appreciate Rasho's defense. Interesting that it comes from an opponents NBA site.

2006-07 Every Play Counts All-Defensive Teams



Defense: the final frontier. If the statistical analysis of basketball offenses lingered in the 20th century for many years, defense was still in the 19th century. Most everyone acknowledges that blocks and steals are insufficient to measure defense, yet they, defensive rebounds and fouls are still the only defensive statistics officially tracked by the NBA.

Fortunately, independent sources, led by 82games.com, have moved to fill in some of the gaps. We can now track how a team's defense performs with and without a player on the floor (using net defensive plus-minus, the difference per 100 possessions in these ratings), have an idea of which players are the best at drawing charges and have very rough estimates of performance by opposing players at the same position...

Shooting Guard

Anthony Parker, Toronto
Parker has helped key Toronto's remarkable defensive turnaround that has led the Raptors to the Atlantic Division title. Parker isn't quite as physical as the stereotypical wing stopper, but he's an excellent athlete with good size and length for the position at 6-6. Opposing shooting guards have just a 47.5% effective field-goal percentage against Parker (league average is 49.6%). Toronto struggled defensively when parker sprained his ankle early in March.

Honorable Mention:
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio - Benefits from playing alongside the league's best stopper, but very good on defense in his own right.


Small Forward

Bruce Bowen, San Antonio
I say this both as an analyst and an employee of a Western Conference opponent: Eventually Bowen has to lose a step, right? At 35, Bowen has had another outstanding season. With Bowen on the floor, the Spurs allowed a microscopic 97.0 points per 100 possessions (San Antonio narrowly leads the league with a 100.9 Defensive Rating overall). Since an early controversy with the Knicks over allegedly dirty tactics, Bowen has stayed out of the news this season.


Power Forward

Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Guards and centers and Bruce Bowen come and go, but the San Antonio defense is positively metronomic in its consistency. If the Spurs hold off Houston to lead the league in Defensive Rating this year, it will be the eighth time in the last nine years. The other year, they finished third. There have been two constants in that period: Duncan and Gregg Popovich. It's hard to say just exactly how much of the credit for the defensive juggernaut deserves to go to Duncan and how much to Popovich, but each complements the other and there is plenty of credit to go around. Duncan is the anchor; he has terrific individual statistics and always has a positive impact on the Spurs defense when he's on the floor. That is why he is this year's Every Play Counts Defensive Player of the Year.


Center

Honorable Mention:
Rasho Nesterovic, Toronto - Another key to the Raptors defensive turnaround. Nesterovic is criticized for being soft, but he can block a shot and is usually in the right place on the floor to use his size.


Every Play Counts (http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/alldefense070409.html)

[ploto]

Steve Aschburner, well-respected beat writer at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, named Rasho Nesterovic the best centre in Minnesota Timberwolves history earlier this season. Of course, Sam put it in context, in a joking manner, Monday night in the Target Center.

"Yeah," he said. "It was him or Luc Longley or Felton Spencer. Some competition."

Funny thing is, you could probably make the case that Rasho is the best centre in franchise history for two franchises, Toronto and Minnesota. :D

Spencer and Longley got nothing on Oliver Miller and Rafael Araujo.

Rasho is the GOAT (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/201418)

[Kobulingam]

Hakeem is the best center to have played for Toronto.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

Good thing the Raptors are winning, since Leafs won't make the playoffs :devil :devil :devil

:ihit neither are the habs :elephant

[lefty]

:ihit neither are the habs :elephant

Ture ; but that was an answer to a member from Toronto

By the way, Red Wings will choke again :p:

[angel_luv]

Tonight at 6:00 PM San Antonio time will air NBA Stories: Toronto Raptors on ESPN 2.

Here's the link for the preview; NBA Stories (http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/specials/nba_stories_toronto_a_block.asx&video=blank&nbasite=nba)


Nooooooooo! I missed it! :(

[lefty]

Nooooooooo! I missed it! :(

U didn't miss anything ; that was just about Rasho

[resistanze]

Miami lost again. Raps have a 3 game lead and will probably get the third seed.

A negative is Washington lost to the Nets; Nets may catch them for the 6th seed.

I think a Raptors/Nets series is a dangerous one, but I still favour the Raps in that one.

[ploto]

Miami lost again. Raps have a 3 game lead and will probably get the third seed.

A negative is Washington lost to the Nets; Nets may catch them for the 6th seed.

I think a Raptors/Nets series is a dangerous one, but I still favour the Raps in that one.
Hey- don't count the Raptors out of the second seed just yet!

[ata]

While it would be nice it is just not realistic.
Cavs are 3-1 against Raptors and are playing Nets, Hawks, @76ers and Bucks
Bulls are 2-2 against Raptors and are playing bobcats, @Wizzards and @Nets

Raptors are playing Pistons, Knicks, @Pistons and 76ers
Raptors should win it all (while winning 8 in the row!?), while Cavs should drop two and Bulls at least one. And don't know how it is with tiebreaker agains Bulls.

[angel_luv]

U didn't miss anything ; that was just about Rasho


:depressed



Hey- don't count the Raptors out of the second seed just yet!
:)


Raptors' " Red Party" is tonight. I'm guessing it is their version of Tux and Tennies?

[bdictjames]

Bosh has a new blog on NBA.com, that picture he had was freaky.

[angel_luv]

So I am watching the Raptors Story now.

I am so glad for Sho and the current team that they do not have to wear those uniforms with the Raptor on them. :lol

:lmao Little Dinosaur guys. hehe

[angel_luv]

Man, I don't recognize that first year Coach Mitchell, thankfully.

[bdictjames]

So I am watching the Raptors Story now.

I am so glad for Sho and the current team that they do not have to wear those uniforms with the Raptor on them. :lol

:lmao Little Dinosaur guys. hehe
That Dino uniform was horrible. But the Spur logo with the pink gayish colors sucked too.

[angel_luv]

That Dino uniform was horrible. But the Spur logo with the pink gayish colors sucked too.


Word. I don't miss those either. :)

[angel_luv]

Slokar sighting! :)
Sho sighting! :)

New look Raptors- :tu

[angel_luv]

Aw... were they praying in the locker room? That's awesome! :)

[angel_luv]

Ah, I liked it! :clap :)

[ploto]

Raptors' " Red Party" is tonight. I'm guessing it is their version of Tux and Tennies?
What is nice is that it is not a sit-down dinner where the players are snuck in the side and escorted out before anyone can talk to them. It is actually more of party where players, coaches, etc... mingle around the crowd.

Also, for fun, the Raptors went to the Blue Jays game last night-- Bosh threw out the first pitch, but the whole team was there in a luxury suite.

[ploto]

With no game for a couple more days, thought we could look back at who even gave the Raptors any chance this season:

SPECIAL PREVIEW EDITION
Bosh, TJ and the Euro-Raps


Greg Anthony
Bryan Colangelo has shaken things up, but this team is going to take time to develop. A lot of excitement north of the border with all the international flavor. The talent is there, but it will take time for them to jell.
DIVISION RANK: 5 | CONFERENCE RANK: 13


Chris Broussard
Signs of progress will show, but not necessarily in the win column. Still a few years away from being a real playoff contender.
DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 12


Ric Bucher
They've seriously upgraded their talent, but they still won only 27 games last year. A 10-game improvement would be a nice first step for the Bryan Colangelo regime.
DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 11


Chad Ford
So the Euroleague gets a team in North America before the NBA gets one in Europe. GM Bryan Colangelo's international moves this summer should help the team's depth and experience problems, but the Raptors just don't have the talent to get into the playoff race.
DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 11


John Hollinger
The front-office soap opera is over, but it will take Bryan Colangelo at least another year to get the product on the floor up to snuff. The Charlie Villanueva trade was a step in the wrong direction, but Chris Bosh will keep them competitive.
DIVISION RANK: 4 | CONFERENCE RANK: 13


Scoop Jackson :clap :clap
Didn't see the plan until they got T.J. Ford. Now the picture is clear as Pella. Rasho Nesterovic in the middle, Fred "I'll Dunk On You" Jones at the two (as sixth man), Andrea Bargnani wherever and CB4 (Bosh) better. Sam Mitchell may get coach of the year.
DIVISION RANK: 2 | CONFERENCE RANK: 7


Tim Legler
The climb back to respectability has begun. T.J. can create an up-tempo style and enhance Chris Bosh's game. The key, however, will be how quickly No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani can produce consistently.
DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 10


Jim O'Brien
Colangelo has a great plan and the Raptors will be exciting, but they are still a year or two away. Their high-octane offense will go for naught if they don't jump 10 spots at the defensive end.
DIVISION RANK: 5 | CONFERENCE RANK: 13


Chris Sheridan
We liked most of Colangelo's offseason moves, with the Ford-Villanueva swap the exception. The Raptors will open things up and score a bunch, but look for Ford to lead the NBA in turnovers.
DIVISION RANK: 2 | CONFERENCE RANK: 9


Marc Stein
This might be David "Globalization" Stern's favorite team, but Le Commish and Canada's hoops fans have to be patient. A playoff berth in Year 1, after an overhaul this drastic, is a lot to ask of Toronto's many new imports.
DIVISION RANK: 2 | CONFERENCE RANK: 10

Average ranks
DIVISION: 3.3
CONFERENCE: 10.9

Bosh, TJ and the Euro-Raps (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-TorontoPreview0607)

[SlovenianGuy]

Go Raptors!

Rasho you are the be(a)st! :smokin

How many current players, who are in NBA for more than 5 years, have reached playoffs in each season?

I don't know the answer. Maybe someone else does ...

BTW: That's post number 1000! Raptor's have a lot of fans here.

[ploto]

How many current players, who are in NBA for more than 5 years, have reached playoffs in each season?

I don't know the answer. Maybe someone else does ...

BTW: That's post number 1000! Raptor's have a lot of fans here.
If I remember correctly there were 5 players who have been in the NBA for more than 6 years and who had never missed the play-offs. Two may fall off that list this season- Peja and Jermaine O'Neal- which leaves Tim, Horry, and Rasho. :D I am sure that people will claim that Rasho is only on that list because of the PF's he has played with, but Bosh has never made the play-offs before and KG is now headed for his third straight season out of the play-offs.

[angel_luv]

What is nice is that it is not a sit-down dinner where the players are snuck in the side and escorted out before anyone can talk to them. It is actually more of party where players, coaches, etc... mingle around the crowd.

Also, for fun, the Raptors went to the Blue Jays game last night-- Bosh threw out the first pitch, but the whole team was there in a luxury suite.


How fun!
I've never been to a professional baseball game.

[angel_luv]

I checked on Raptors.com... all the pictures from the baseball game are of Chris Bosh.
All right already! He was there. He threw a great pitch. I get it. :lol