Raptors News

[exstatic]

Raptors news:

Fishing is good.

[angel_luv]

At least you weren't like the broadcasters from last night and their endless references to the Raptors now being extinct.

Raps are here to stay people! :)

[lefty]

Oh my gosh! Lefty your avatar!!!!!!!!!! Love it! Awww!

U can use it if u want to ; I can replace it, no problem

[angel_luv]

U can use it if u want to ; I can replace it, no problem


Aw... you're sweet. I'll put it in my sig. :) Thanks.

Keep it as your avitar and start posting even more. :lol

[lefty]

Aw... you're sweet. I'll put it in my sig. :) Thanks.

Keep it as your avitar and start posting even more. :lol
ok then

[Kamnik]

this series were funny for me....

i cheered for Raps the whole season (in the east) and the Spurs in the west

but after 5 minutes of game 1 i started to cheer for nets

reasons

1. Boki
2. Boki
3. Kidd
4. Raptores are too unexperienced and would get eliminated fast even if advancing; Bosh didnt show much





my observations/thoughts:

1. Nets are a very experienced veteran team and Raptors didnt have much chance against them; even the 2 games Raptors won could be very easily won by the Nets

2. damn Vince Carter.... except his crazy dunking he is a walking vagina :dramaquee he has got skills and body to be one of the all time greatest players but a weak WEAK mind

3. Kidd is amazing; you got to love to watch him play, he makes everyone around him a better player

4. Raptors have a BRIGHT future! if i were in their place i would try to trade Bosh for someone wit a post up game to complement Baragnani (D. Howard, Oden, E. Okafor or someone like that)

5. i didnt Bosh in this series; or maybe Nets just did an amazing job defending him

6. Baragnani is an amazing talent; more than worth of that no. 1 pick

7. i was sorry to see Nachbar to miss 2 game winners; even though he had a really clutch 3 and several other imporant plays and an impressive series as a role player i am relieved to see Nets advance

dont want him to remember these series after his missed oportunities





edit:


p.s.

lets show support for Boki and the Nets here

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66310

[angel_luv]

Raptors hold their heads high and learned plenty of valuable lessons this season...
Raptors Take More than Dirty Socks Home on Locker Cleanout Day

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/ulmer_050507.html
May 5, 2007

(TORONTO) -- So where are the Toronto Raptors right now?

Remember the final scene in Rocky I.

The fight is over, the music is swelling, Rocky has battled Apollo Creed for 15 rounds and the ring announcer in the background proclaims Creed is still The Champ. The music keeps on soaring. No one even pays attention, so great has been the battle and the valley crossed.

That’s where the Raptors are now. Right there. Losers in name only.

Saturday, the Raptors cleaned out their lockers and played meet the press for the final time on the heels of Friday’s agonizing 98-97 road loss to the New Jersey Nets.


Everything started to click for Chris Bosh in the fourth quarter of Game 6.

After sporadic play in the first two games, the Raps were blown out of Games 3 and 4 in New Jersey and then, after coach Sam Mitchell juggled his lineup and the club took another gulp of air, the Raps did the unexpected, beating New Jersey in Game 5.

Then came the unthinkable, a shootout in Jersey that ended only when Jose Calderon put a pass a foot too short for a Chris Bosh dunk

By then, Calderon and T.J. Ford had returned from injuries to score 36 points. Morris Peterson, an afterthought through the middle of the season contributed 17 more as well as fine defensive work on Vince Carter.

The pillar of the franchise, Chris Bosh, delivered 23 points and rookie Andrea Bargnani, who may emerge as an even more formidable scorer than Bosh, added 17.

How did they get here?

The Raptors were little more than curiosities when the season started, a team with 27 wins the season previous and a roster remade with an Italian rookie and players unknown in NBA circles who had played in Israel, Spain, Italy and elsewhere.

The Season:
The Raptors walked into an uninviting scenario. They were blowing up their lineup and importing players who would need time to grow accustomed to each other, all the while negotiating a wicked early schedule.

The Raptors lost all four games on a West Coast road trip and started 2-8.

“To me, when we came back from the West Coast 2-8, everybody said we were done, we couldn’t beat Cleveland,” said Coach Sam Mitchell.

Instead, Chris Bosh scored 25 points and the Raptors dropped the Cavs 95-87.

Mitchell found hope in another win.

“We got drilled pretty good in Miami and coming back on the back to back, when Orlando was playing as well as anyone in the East, we went into that building and won (91-84 on Dec. 13). No matter how bad things got, that showed what we were capable of.”

For once, the breaks were following Toronto. With the third-quarter buzzer a second away, Bosh put up a 55-foot swish against the Wizards, Jan. 31. It was that kind of season.

“Thinks like that happened all year,” Bosh said. “I could remember the year before, things like that happened to the other team. That just shows how things really turned around for us.”

The Raptors beat Washington 119-109. The win capped a 10-5 January. They were now a .500 team and they would add 20 wins to their previous total.

Along the way they would fashion a tandem at point guard widely considered among the NBA’s best.

Ford brought a noticeably better shooting touch, averaged 14 points a game and easily outran defences.

Calderon, only mildly impressive as a rookie, delivered a spectacular second season and boosted his field-goal percentage from .423 to .521. Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker became glue players. Bargnani hit for 15 or more points in 22 games and Bosh averaged 22.6 points and 10.7 rebounds. The turnaround was so significant, Mitchell was named Coach of the Year

[angel_luv]

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/ulmer2_050507.html

May 5, 2007

Continued from Page 1

The Decisions:
General manager Bryan Colangelo has to decide whether to re-sign Mitchell, who is rumoured to be high on wish lists in Indiana and Charlotte.

That starts with conversations with Mitchell’s agent Lonnie Cooper on Monday.

“We’ll try to negotiate a fair and reasonable deal and hope we can get this resolved quickly,” Colangelo said.

“It’s our intention to get Sam under contract as quickly as possible. That much is clear. Whether Sam decides this is the right situation for him has to be part of the equation too.”

Mitchell said naturally money and term were issues, but he wanted to return to Toronto.

Andrea Bargnani gives Raptors fans just one of the many bright things to look forward to. “That’s not going to entirely be my decision. All I can do is try to do the best job I can do. I haven’t thought about it too much.”

Meanwhile, swingman Morris Peterson is looking at free agency. Peterson endured a disappointing season. His starts went down from 77 to 12 and his points per game halved from 16.8 to 8.9.

“Coming back is definitely a possibility that’s realistic,” he said. “Like I said, I love the city. The fans have embraced me from day one.”

“I’ve talked to him a couple of times at great length,” said Colangelo. “I’ve shared with him that I have a lot of respect for him.”

The problem is expectations, he said.

“Is he’s going to be here and frustrated and want to play more. One season biting your lip is one thing. I can’t see him wanting to do that two seasons in a row.”

The Byzantine logistics of the CBA might present an opportunity, Colangelo said.

“There is an interesting situation with his contract in that he is a free agent. I think some people will look at the last few games and say that’s the Morris Peterson we know and remember and feel he’s got a lot of basketball left. Maybe there’s a deal there, a sign and trade, something that lands him in a better situation. “

The Future.
The Raptors prospectus shifted dramatically in one night. The club’s gutsy performance in Game 6 proved how badly the post-season experience was needed and how profoundly the team had profited from it.

“It was a battle with the Nets, trying to figure their defence out and being aggressive at the same time,” said Bosh, who struggled through much of the series. “Game 6, I was just aggressive. I remembered everything. I was focused and most of all, I was having fun.”

Clearly, the Raptors, with few players outside Rasho Nesterovic boasting any kind of playoff experience, needed to work in the glare of prime time.

“You look at the Isiah-Detroit teams, Chicago with Michael Jordan,” said forward Anthony Parker. “A lot of teams have to go through trying times before they turn the corner and become great organizations and I certainly feel we have the building blocks to do that.”

The Raptors were routinely out-rebounded and if Peterson goes, there will be a need for an offensively gifted swingman.

“The obvious thing is we need to add some pieces because we came up short in advancing,” said Mitchell. “You look at the future of T.J., Andrea, Chris (Bosh), (Kris) Humphries and Joey and all those other young guys. It’s bright.”

There is much to do but the pairing of the club’s two young big men should ensure respectability for years to come.

Next year, Bargnani will become a far more prominent part of the offence.

“He has the tools and the potential to be a great player in this league,” said Bosh, who should know.

“The more that he asserts himself and the better he gets, and the more I do…it’s going to be scary.”

Because of previous trades, the Raptors will not have a draft choice.

“One thing we have to do is have players in the current system continue to get better and not take this experience and relax, which I’ve seen happen before,” said Colangelo.

“That taste that’s in your mouth right now, that’s bitter from losing last night. Taste that bitterness, don’t taste sweetness from the success of a 47-win season. That’s not good enough. It’s never good enough.”

[ploto]

Andrea Bargnani & Jorge Garbajosa Highlight 2007 All-Rookie Team


(TORONTO) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday forwards Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa have been named to the 2007 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team. Bargnani was the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Garbajosa, a native of Madrid, Spain, joined the Raptors via free agency in July 2006. Rounding out the 2007 first team are Portland’s Brandon Roy, Minnesota’s Randy Foye, Memphis’ Rudy Gay and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.

Bargnani finished in the top 10 among rookies in seven of nine major statistical categories, including third in points per game (11.6) and fifth in minutes (25.1) and blocks (0.82). In January, he was named T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month after helping the Raptors to a 10-5 record, posting averages of 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 27.0 minutes in 14 games. He shot .410 (57-139) from the field and .394 (26-66) from three-point range during the month and led the team’s bench in scoring six times.

Bargnani became the third Raptor to receive multiple Rookie of the Month awards upon receiving the February honour. For the month, he posted averages of 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 28.7 minutes in 12 games. He shot .508 (62-of-122) from the field, .483 (29-of-60) from three-point range and .826 (19-of-23) from the line and led the team’s bench in scoring seven times.

Garbajosa finished the season fifth among rookies in rebounds (4.9 rpg) and posted a 1.22 steals-per-turnover ratio. He started 60 of his 67 games, contributing 8.5 points (eighth among rookies) in 28.5 minutes (third). Garbajosa’s 60 starts was the third most by a Raptors rookie in team history.

In December, Garbajosa was named the winner of the T-Mobile Eastern Conference Player of the Month. During the month, he helped the Raptors to an 8-8 record, posting averages of 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 34.8 minutes in 15 games. He shot .439 (69-157) from the field and .933 (14-15) from the line and led the team in rebounding four times.

Both Bargnani and Garbajosa were named to the rookie team for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge played during All-Star Weekend. Bargnani scored 12 points in 23 minutes, while Garbajosa totaled six points, four rebounds and four assists.

This marks the first time in franchise history that two Raptors have been named to the first team in the same season. In total, eight Raptors have been named to the All-Rookie First Team (Damon Stoudamire, 1996, Marcus Camby, 1997, Vince Carter, 1999, Morris Peterson, 2001, Chris Bosh, 2004 and Charlie Villanueva, 2006).

Since the NBA began selecting All-Rookie teams in 1962-63, two players from the same ballclub have made the First Team just 16 times.

The T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of Utah’s Paul Millsap (36), Charlotte’s Adam Morrison (35), Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas (26), Minnesota’s Craig Smith (21) and Boston’s Rajon Rondo (10), Charlotte’s Walter Hermann (10) and New Jersey’s Marcus Williams (10) all tied for the final spot on the second team.

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation's youth and as the Official Wireless Services Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA's youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the NBA's Rookie program. Highlights include rookie awards presentations including the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players. At this year's competition during NBA All-Star 2007, T-Mobile, along with NBA Cares, hosted more than 6,000 area students in the lower bowl of the arena for a special night of watching some of the best basketball players in the world. This is a part of T-Mobile's continued efforts to connect kids to positive people, places and programs.

Below are the results of the balloting for the 2006-07 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie teams:

Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total

Brandon Roy Portland 29 - 58
Andrea Bargnani Toronto 28 1 57
Randy Foye Minnesota 21 6 48
Rudy Gay Memphis 12 15 39
Jorge Garbajosa Toronto 13 11 37 (tie)
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland 14 9 37 (tie)

2006-07 T-Mobile NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM

Player Team First (2 pt) Second (1 Pt) Total

Paul Millsap Utah 10 16 36
Adam Morrison Charlotte 12 11 35
Tyrus Thomas Chicago 5 16 26
Craig Smith Minnesota 1 19 21
Rajon Rondo Boston 1 8 10 (tie)
Walter Hermann Charlotte 1 8 10 (tie)
Marcus Williams New Jersey 1 8 10 (tie)


Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first place votes): Tarence Kinsey, Memphis, 6 (1); Renaldo Balkman, New York, 5; Rodney Carney, Philadelphia, 5 (1); Sheldon Williams, Atlanta, 4; Allan Ray, Boston, 1; Thabo Sefolosha, Chicago, 1; Daniel Gibson, Cleveland, 1; Jordan Farmar, L.A. Lakers, 1; Josh Boone, New Jersey, 1; Sergio Rodriguez, Portland, 1.

Raptors Rookies (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/all_rookie_2007s.html)

[angel_luv]

I was just going to post that- heard it on the radio on way home from GTG.
Props A.B. & Jorge.
Raptors represent! :)

[timvp]

Garbajosa on the first team is a joke. Walter Hermann, Craig Smith and Paul Millsap all had better seasons.

Garbajosa and Morrison should headline the First Team All-NBA Overrated Rookie team.

[ploto]

Garbajosa on the first team is a joke. Walter Hermann, Craig Smith and Paul Millsap all had better seasons.

Garbajosa and Morrison should headline the First Team All-NBA Overrated Rookie team.
I was surprised to see Hermann's vote total so low, especially when he played so well at the end of the season- but Garbajosa started for the team with the fourth best record in the East.

I knew you would have to comment on this-- where's your Bustnani crack?

[RaptorsFan]

Garbajosa on the first team is a joke. Walter Hermann, Craig Smith and Paul Millsap all had better seasons.

Garbajosa and Morrison should headline the First Team All-NBA Overrated Rookie team.
LOL. Do you watch the games or just look at random statistics and make wild statements accordingly.

[angel_luv]

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/210953
Raptor puzzle mostly in place



What's next for the Raptors?

THE CORE

Chris Bosh

Three-year contract extension with a player option for a fourth year kicks in next season. Cornerstone of the franchise, he keeps improving.

T.J. Ford

Three-year contract extension with a player option for a fourth year kicks in next season. Young point guard learning his way as team leader.

Andrea Bargnani

Under rookie contract for next three years with a team option for a fourth. Vastly improved from start of year, sky's the limit.



THE SUPPORTING CAST

Anthony Parker

Two years remaining on contract. A glue guy who might have most complete game on team.

Jose Calderon

One year remaining on contract. Could be best backup point guard in the league, comfortable with role.

Jorge Garbajosa

Two years remaining on contract. Has to come back from serious leg injury.

Rasho Nesterovic

One year guaranteed remaining, one year player option. Solid, if unspectacular. If Bargnani's projected as a starter, he could be moved.

I hope Sho stays with the Raps. I like the team a lot; have some additional favorite players from this season- Uros, Calderon, and AB especially.
But if Sho goes, I just need to know where so I know who I am rooting for. :)


THE QUESTION MARKS

Morris Peterson

Free agent this summer. It'd be a big surprise if longest-serving Raptor was in Toronto next season. May fetch good value in a sign-and-trade.

Joey Graham

One year left on deal. Infuriates coaches with inconsistency, shocks them with athleticism, but it might be time to move him along.

Kris Humphries

One year left on rookie contract. Good backup deep in rotation, energy guy who can help if he'll be satisfied with secondary role.

Juan Dixon

One year left on contract. Good rotation player in regular season, proven scorer who can help.

Luke Jackson

A guaranteed deal for next year. He's cheap – less than $500,000 – and much more a project than a prospect. Depth guy.

Pape Sow

Free agent in the summer. Everyone loves the guy, but not sure there'll be room at the end of the roster for him.

Uros Slokar

Free agent this summer. See Sow. Same deal, but may have enough potential that they keep him around for another look.

Darrick Martin

Free agent this summer. If he wants to play another year as a de facto coach, they should bring him back; if he wants to coach, they should add him to the staff.

[Pistons < Spurs]

I hope Sho stays with the Raps. I like the team a lot; have some additional favorite players from this season- Uros, Calderon, and AB especially.
But if Sho goes, I just need to know where so I know who I am rooting for. :)



There's only soooooo many teams you can root for Angel :) For your sake I hope they keep him in Toronto!

[angel_luv]

There's only soooooo many teams you can root for Angel :) For your sake I hope they keep him in Toronto!

Thanks. :)

[angel_luv]

Happy Birthday Uros! :)


:spin :birthday: :toast

[angel_luv]

Mitchell close to new deal with Raptors, sources say


Mitchell Deal (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/215351)

Another paper says it is going to be a three-year deal at about $12M.

:elephant :elephant :)

[angel_luv]

:lol


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

Time for the Ulmies
May 18, 12:06 p.m.

Okay, Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is coming off a shutout season. The only thing close to a misstep for the reigning NBA Executive of the Year was landing Fred Jones and Colangelo remedied that by swapping him for the more valuable Juan Dixon.

When half the town wanted coach Sam Mitchell fired after a slow start, Colangelo stuck with him. Mitchell would emerge as the Coach of The Year. Drafting Andrea Bargnani, signing Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa, acquiring T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and Kris Humphries. Masterstrokes.

But as Colangelo readily admitted in accepting his latest bit of management hardware, he found a "blank canvas" in Toronto because of acting GM's Wayne Embry's financially liberating trade of Jalen Rose.

Many a lumberjack can cut a tree. Rare is the craftsperson who can make it a cabinet. Don't bother looking that up, I came up with it just now.

To get the Raptors to the next level, Colangelo knows he needs to boost the team's athleticism, primarily by landing an athletic swingman.

This won't be easy.

He has precious few tools. Nesterovic may be redundant if Bargnani, as expected, spends more time this season playing centre. Morris Peterson is a sign-and trade possibility. There is a mid-level exception in play but no current draft choices (they've already been dealt).

The Raptors have organizational depth at one position. Their tandem of Ford and Jose Calderon rivals any in the league save for Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa but having that kind of depth of talent and a willingness by both players to share the position for the common good may be too great an advantage to sacrifice in trade.

Colangelo hinted that the club would be looking at signing away restricted free agents The list of players knocked around, Golden State's Mickael Pietrus was dubbed the best of the bunch on the blog of Star scribe Doug Smith, is far from sterling.

In one spectacular year in Toronto, Bryan Colangelo has overseen a remarkable transformation, a 20-win improvement on the floor and a new relevance for the Raptors in the eyes of the media and the hearts of fans.

This then, is the beginning of the second year and a second chapter. The strokes won't be as bold, you can't bring in nine new players every year, but the ingenuity and imagination necessary to push the team from a one-year-wonder to consistent playoff contender will be just as difficult to manage.

How he does it, and you know he will, promises to be one of the most entertaining elements of the off-season.

Finally, it's time for the Year-End Ulmies, those coveted awards that signal a season well lived.

Most improved player: Jose Calderon.

Guy cool enough to play James Bond: T.J. Ford.

Most enviable release: Andrea Bargnani.

Funniest answer: Bargnani, again, when asked what his mother cooks him, looked down balefully at reporter as if he had two heads (okay, it was me). "Spaghetti," he said.

Most open interview: Joey Graham.

Most serene: Chris Bosh in a walk.

Most knowledgeable of game: Anthony Parker.

Hair most resembling that of a sportswriter: Jorge Garbajosa.

Player I would call to help fix my computer: Uros Slokar.

Greatest Humanitarian: Pape Sow.

[angel_luv]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :elephant :elephant

Mitchell Gets Contract Extension

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


Mitchell's the Man
May 22, 5:06 p.m.

The phrase “I managed good but boy, did they play bad’” is generally credited to Casey Stengel. As always, there is a profound truth buried with the nonsense.

Sam Mitchell, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year won 47 games this year but might have done a better job in 2005-2006, when he looked down his bench and saw Rafael Araujo instead of Kris Humphries and Mike James instead of T.J. Ford.

In 2004-2005, he managed 33 wins with Aaron Williams, Lamond Murray, Milt Palacio and an unhappy Jalen Rose.

Give any man a truckful of bricks, wood and tools and he can build you a castle. If you really want to see what he’s made of, give that same man some sand, a bucket and some surf.

Sam Mitchell has worked with every imaginable element and that’s why he was at the Air Canada Centre yesterday along with Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo and MLSE Chairman Larry Tanenbaum, announcing a new four-year-contract.

Mitchell’s return wasn’t much of a mystery. Committed to sticking with Mitchell despite a rocky start this season, Colangelo paid for his loyalty to the tune of several million dollars and got precisely the man he had wanted. He spent part of one season and all of this one making sure.

“The first meeting we had he assured me he would give me every opportunity to be successful and he’s been a man of his word,” Mitchell said. “That’s why I’m still here.”

“Sam is fair with all the players, he treats them all equally regardless of star status and that’s something that is very, very delicate in this business,” Colangelo said. “They always seem to be prepared and ready. Despite only winning 27 games last year, the team was always prepared and always found a way to be competitive.

“This year we found a way to be competitive but we also found a way to close. That’s the evolution of a team, the evolution of a coach, of a coaching staff and I can only imagine it getting better in the future.”

This is where Mitchell racked up the hard miles. When he arrived here three years ago, he came with a mindset and sensibilities heavily shaped by his 13 years yeoman service in the NBA.

But coaching is a profoundly different gig. Media is a minor concern to a player, a major one to a coach. Meetings, managing coaches, orchestrating travel, working with players, setting the correct tone, monitoring demands from inside the organization for appearances and player participation, these things mean learning to delegate and trust.

If you gave a high school coach the reins of an NBA team, his first game might not be a bad one. He would however, likely be done by week’s end. The trick is mastering everything that comes with the part where you walk down the sidelines and shout at referees.

“Every day you learn a little bit,” Mitchell said. “You grow as a person and that has helped me the most as a coach. Learning to rely on other people, understanding you can’t do everything by yourself, you just grow on a day-to-day basis.”

That he has mastered just that stirs a paternal pride in Tanenbaum.

“Sam had a tough time when he was here,” Tanenbaum said. “We helped Sam to work through some of the issues that were here when he first came in here. We’ve had a few bonding experiences.”

“We cried together and laughed together. We did a lot of that.”

For Mitchell, that often meant making due with a paper-thin lineup when the injuries were kept at bay and a laughable one when they weren’t. Mitchell, as he should, sees those first two years as some of his best work.

“I think I learned to coach those first years when we weren’t as good. You had to. You had to bear down. You had to spend more time watching tape, more time with your players, more time coming up with fresh ideas to keep your team competitive and playing hard. This year, when we got better talent, I wouldn’t say it was easier, but it was refreshing. It was a common thing to look down the bench and see guys who could do the job.”

Mitchell’s story couldn’t be written any other way. He grew up in Columbus, Georgia in a house packed with siblings. His parents worked tirelessly. Mitchell starred at Mercer College, but was cut by Houston Rockets because the team’s first round choice had a guaranteed contract. It took him stints in Europe and the Continental Baseketball Association to get back the NBA and he needed every bit of resolve he showed in getting to the league, plus a little bit more, to become the rarest of things – a coach with a second contract. Now he’s got what he’s rarely had and honestly deserves: security.

“Sam came from a very hard life,” Tanenbaum said. “He didn’t come by it easy. He worked for everything he got…That’s a great attribute, the ability to know you want to succeed and work hard for it. “

[ploto]

Sorry Angel.


Bryan Colangelo, Sam Mitchell and their various trusty lieutenants are in Orlando this week at the NBA's annual pre-draft camp and that sounds like a strange place for a whole whack of Toronto people to be, given the Raptors don't have a draft pick.

But the work really isn't in the watching of players.

The work is in the chats they'll have with other general managers, in the rumours they'll pick up and in the informal discussion they might have with agents who prowl the Disney hallways.

And remember this: all those trades that Colangelo may have considered but didn't consummate in February could very well be on the table again.

One guy they had interest in, according to a couple of spies, is Golden State's never-used Sarunas Jasikevicius and that might be a name being kicked around this week.

They'll be shopping Morris Peterson, at least informally, to gauge interest and you can be sure if someone wants to talk about Rasho Nesterovic, they'll listen.

So no matter what dearth of news comes out of the camp, rest assured work is being done.

Pre-draft Camp (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/218822)

[angel_luv]

I'm sorry for Sho. I'll root for whatever team he joins/ is sent to.
But that is something for another day because...

[angel_luv]

According to Slovenia time, it's Sho's birthday!!!!!!!!! :)

:spin :elephant :toast :birthday: :danceclub :birthday: :toast :elephant :spin

[angel_luv]

:) And last but never least, Raptors Red Cake. :)

http://i13.tinypic.com/4lyls3c.jpg

[ploto]

http://www.studentnet.hr/images/ec_sretan_rodjendan.jpg za Radoslav!

[ploto]

Been a while- time for some updates.

Jim Todd leaving post as Raptors assistant
Former player and Toronto scout Mike Evans could step in


Jim Todd is leaving the Raptors.

After spending three seasons as the lead assistant to head coach Sam Mitchell, the affable Todd is going to work for the Milwaukee Bucks...

There was no official word on Todd's replacement. League sources speculate that Mike Evans, a former player and long-time NBA coach who has been a scout for Toronto for the last three years, could be in line for a promotion in the organization.

Evans was the head coach of the Denver Nuggets for the final 56 games of the 2001-02 season.

Mitchell's other two assistants, Alex English and Jay Triano, are both expected to return.
Todd to Bucks (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/224898)



Grant Hill Looks at Raptors, likes what he sees


Watching the National Basketball Association final lurch to its inevitable result, two conclusions are clear — one with important ramifications for the Toronto Raptors and possibly even former NBA all-star Grant Hill...

The second is that the Eastern Conference is so wide open, the Raptors should be thinking of themselves as legitimate candidates to be here a season from now.

Doubtless general manager Bryan Colangelo and his crew think so, but even more significant, players who might help them get there are taking notice as well.

Hill, for example, has been covering the final as a television analyst for ABC. The Orlando Magic wing player will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and, after losing some of the prime years of his career to injury, is looking for an opportunity that will maximize his chances of earning an NBA title — or at least the chance to compete for one.

An uninspiring performance by the Cavaliers and the lack of a surefire next-best candidate in the East has suddenly put the Raptors into that mix.

"They're on the radar. Bryan's done a great job there," Hill said before the third game on Tuesday, adding that he would only begin focusing on his playing future after talking more with the Magic after the final is over. He also noted that his wife, recording artist Tamia Hill, is Canadian and said that "at this point in my career, a winning situation is the primary thing."

A source close to the former Duke University star also said Hill has mentioned the Raptors as a possibility among a select number of franchises, with the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons under consideration. Certainly, the Raptors' playing style would seem to be a good fit for Hill, and there's no doubt that one of the NBA's most respected citizens would enjoy the team's uniformly drama-free locker room.



The most desirable names — Rashard Lewis of the Seattle SuperSonics and Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats — are both too expensive. Not as talented is Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he is a reliable three-point threat and top-grade facilitator. Getting him to leave Southern California could be an obstacle, however, according to those close to him.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' Sasha Pavlovic is intriguing, if only because he's 23 years old, will have NBA final experience and shows flashes of being a serious offensive threat — although that's often off-set by his hubris with the ball. He's a restricted free agent, and given Cleveland is likely to be a tax team next season if they re-sign Anderson Varejao, Pavlovic might be available with a carefully constructed, front-end-loaded offer.

Other candidates include James Posey of the Miami Heat and Mickael Pietrus of the Golden State Warriors, both long-armed defenders with some offensive skill, with Posey's experience balanced against Pietrus's promise.

Trades are a possibility as well, with the only problem being that the Raptors' most desirable commodity is Jose Calderon, the emerging Spanish point guard.

The Atlanta Hawks, who came close to signing Calderon out of Spain before the Raptors did, desperately needs point-guard help and carries a wealth of wing players that could fit in Toronto, but Colangelo has stressed that continuity and depth are features he wants to establish on his roster, which suggests any move that would involve a player as prized as Calderon would have to net a proven asset in return and likely a draft pick, too. One rumoured deal involving Calderon and Joey Graham for Josh Childress, Solomon Jones and the 11th pick in the draft, as floated the other day for example, wouldn't cut it...
Grant Hill (http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070613.wsptgrange13/GSStory/GlobeSportsBasketball/home)


Mitchell wants Bosh to put health first

Chris Bosh can gamble all he wants in Las Vegas this summer, as long as he doesn't take bets with his health.

That was the message from Raptors coach Sam Mitchell yesterday. Mitchell said he does not want his all-star forward playing for Team USA at the FIBA Americas championships in Vegas this August if his left heel is sore, even if Bosh already has committed to the national team.

"Look, I would never tell a guy not to play for his country, that's a huge honour," said Mitchell, who acted as draw master yesterday for the $500,000 Labatt Woodbine Oaks on Sunday. "But you also have to be smart about it."

The Raptors were not impressed last fall when Bosh showed up at training camp with a case of plantar fasciitis in his left heel after playing for the American team at the world championship in Japan. They were even less thrilled that the problem plagued him for most of the season.

What they don't want is a similar scenario at camp this fall and unless Bosh can prove his heel is 100%, the Raptors will discourage him from playing at the FIBA event -- despite the fact that it is the first qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Bosh, his agent Henry Thomas and Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo will make the final decision as to whether Bosh plays for Team USA in Vegas, but, Mitchell said, the bottom line is that Bosh "has to do the right thing" and be "up front and totally honest" with the Raptors about his injury...


Mitchell, who attended last week's pre-draft camp in Orlando, added the Raptors may attempt to acquire a second-round pick for this summer's NBA draft. As is stands, the Raptors do not have a pick in the draft.
Bosh (http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/06/08/4244313-sun.html)

[ploto]

Raptors Acquire Carlos Delfino From Pistons



(June 15, 2007) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have acquired guard Carlos Delfino from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2009 and 2011.

Delfino, 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, was a first-round selection (25th overall) by the Pistons in 2003. The native of Argentina saw action in all 82 regular season games last season, posting career highs in points (5.2), rebounds (3.2) and minutes (16.8). He scored in double figures 13 times with a season-best 16 points in a season-high 30 minutes December 27 at New York. He had a season-high seven rebounds on seven occasions and a season-best seven assists at Atlanta on January 12. He appeared in all 16 of Detroit’s postseason contests, averaging 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 8.4 minutes.

“Carlos is a talented basketball player that should thrive in our system,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “Like many international players that come to the league, he has much more professional experience than his NBA resume suggests.”

Delfino has averaged 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 14.2 minutes in 180 career NBA regular season games. Prior to joining the Pistons, he played four seasons (2000-04) in Italy. He spent 2000-02 with Reggio Calabria and 2002-04 as a member of Skipper Bologna. He averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 25.6 minutes in 115 career games in Italy.

Delfino was a member of the Gold Medal winning Argentina National Team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He also played for the Argentina National Team along with Manu Ginobili (San Antonio), Andres Nocioni (Chicago), Fabricio Oberto (San Antonio) and Walter Hermann (Charlotte) at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan.
Delfino to Raptors (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/release_061507.html)

Delfino for cap space and fuuture second round picks Pretty good deal.

I knew when the season ended last night that BC would start his moves today.

[Pistons < Spurs]

I expect Delfino to be a very nice addition in Toronto. The speed of TJ Ford pushing the ball will be a nice change of pace for him compared to our slower half court game that hid his real abilities. His defense will also be a huge upgrade for the Raptors.

[Kamnik]

awsome trade for Raptors

also good one for Pistons


Colangelo is da man! pure and simple

[Lp26]

You will love him. He plays hard, great rebounder for his position, great playmaker, and has slashing abilities. Once he gains confidence, he's going to be really good for you guys. Congrats!

[Kamnik]

You will love him. He plays hard, great rebounder for his position, great playmaker, and has slashing abilities. Once he gains confidence, he's going to be really good for you guys. Congrats!

why couldnt he get serious playing time in Detroit?

[freedom&justice]

why couldnt he get serious playing time in Detroit?

Actually, he did. He played in all 82 games this year, averaging 17 minutes per.
He's a great hustle guy who comes up with the most unlikely rebounds, but he has a tendency to get over-aggressive, which then leads to lots of charging fouls when driving to the basket.
He's an excellent ballhandler and he's a terrific athlete; he has the potential to be a very good slasher who uses both his power and his creativity to score down low, similar to Manu, but a with bit less effectiveness. He can also shoot the three ball; and he plays solid defense.
He was never really effective for us because our genius coach had him standing around on the perimeter or on the wing, and his slashing ability was never really given a chance to shine. Carlos's biggest weakness is a perceived lack of aggression, characterized by several minutes of ineffectiveness. The raptors' faster Phoenix-style system should suit him better than our slow-down offense.

[Lp26]

Actually, he did. He played in all 82 games this year, averaging 17 minutes per.
He's a great hustle guy who comes up with the most unlikely rebounds, but he has a tendency to get over-aggressive, which then leads to lots of charging fouls when driving to the basket.
He's an excellent ballhandler and he's a terrific athlete; he has the potential to be a very good slasher who uses both his power and his creativity to score down low, similar to Manu, but a with bit less effectiveness. He can also shoot the three ball; and he plays solid defense.
He was never really effective for us because our genius coach had him standing around on the perimeter or on the wing, and his slashing ability was never really given a chance to shine. Carlos's biggest weakness is a perceived lack of aggression, characterized by several minutes of ineffectiveness. The raptors' faster Phoenix-style system should suit him better than our slow-down offense.

Bingo. We didn't use him properly. Never let him handle the ball, make plays, etc. He didn't fit into Flip Saunder's system.

Also he never really gained confidence and it affected him in terms of consistancy. His playing time was sporadic. There was never really a set rotation. With regular/more PT, he should develop into a solid player for the Raps.

edited to add;

I wouldn't be suprised if he's a starter by mid-season; although i think he benefits more by playing w/ Calderon

[ploto]

i think he benefits more by playing w/ Calderon
I can just picture- Calderon, Parker, and Delfino

[ArgSpursFan]

I really think that the Raptors are trying to follow the Spurs way to bild a team.Why? Simple:they got in Bosh an Exelent,Skilled Big man,who is able to average a carrer double/double,and they are surrounding him with great FIBA players and good Americans As well.
They just need to improve on Defense and them they´ll be very scary as a team.
The Raptors coach should watch some FIBA BB,and try to develope some FIBA types of team offensive plays and some Zone D.for specials ocations,like when guarding a guy like Lebron for example.
Way to go Rapts!

[ploto]

Will the Argentine fans be joining our Raptors thread?

[Pistons < Spurs]

Delfino is best in the open court. He was never going to be successful from an offensive standpoint for us because Billups does not push the ball and is not a creative passer. Nor did we have a backup guard that could play up tempo transition basketball. He can create his own shot....but not all that well, nor with much consistency. Get him on the move with a timely bounce pass, and he'll go up and put in down.

[velik_m]

That's a fucking steal! Delfino is a great player, and it fills a need too.

OT: New season - new thread?

[Kamnik]

That's a fucking steal! Delfino is a great player, and it fills a need too.

OT: New season - new thread?

agreed on both things


this thread is just oo big, it got intimidating :lol

[angel_luv]

Raptors Acquire Carlos Delfino From Pistons


Delfino to Raptors (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/release_061507.html)

Delfino for cap space and fuuture second round picks Pretty good deal.

I knew when the season ended last night that BC would start his moves today.


Holy cow! We got Delfino?????
That's awesome!

Of course this happened the first time in months I was without regular computer access. :lol

Yea, I'm excited! :)

[angel_luv]

I vote for a new thread too. Maybe we could prevail upon Kori to move this one to the classics so we have it to easily refer to. :)

[ploto]

We could start a new thread on draft night- but as of now the Raptors have no draft picks!

[angel_luv]

We could start a new thread on draft night- but as of now the Raptors have no draft picks!


That's a good idea- at the very least we can talk about our competition and match ups.

[ploto]

Busy summer for Raptors

The Raptors may be the best prepared team when the NBA regular season begins in October, or the most exhausted.

The newest member of the squad, shooting guard/small forward Carlos Delfino, said yesterday that he plans to play at the FIBA Americas championship this August in Las Vegas, which is a qualifying event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

That makes a total of eight Raptors who plan to compete in regional Olympic qualifying tournaments this summer.

All-star forward Chris Bosh will play for the United States (if the Raptors are satisfied that a sore foot which plagued him for much of last season has healed sufficiently), while Jose Calderon (Spain), Jorge Garbajosa (Spain), Uros Slokar (Slovenia), Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia), Pape Sow (Senegal) and Andrea Bargnani (Italy) also have told their respective federations that they will play. Garbajosa, however, is a long shot to suit up for Spain as he is recovering from a dislocated left ankle joint, which required surgery, and a fractured fibula, suffered during a game on March 26 in Boston. Slokar and Saw both have contracts that expire this summer and may not be back in Toronto.

Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo said that he is not overly concerned with the fact that many of his key players will taking part in summer qualifying events.

The FIBA Americas championship ends on Sept. 2, which gives Bosh and Delfino, who was acquired last Friday from the Detroit Pistons for two second-round draft picks, almost a month to recuperate before they report for Raptors training camp in Treviso, Italy, on Oct.1.

The European Olympic qualifier ends in mid September, but the Raptors taking part in that event aren't obligated to leave Europe between the end of that tournament and the start of the Raptors camp.

"They can just meet us in Treviso. So that, obviously, cuts down on the travel," Colangelo said. "That should give everybody plenty of time to rest and recovery." (Don't know why the Spurs never did it this way.)

The Raptors also decided not to enter a team in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In years past, a second-year player such as Bargnani would have been obligated to play in the Summer League. Now the first pick overall in the 2006 NBA draft can remain in Europe until camp...
Busy Raptors ( http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/06/19/4272269-sun.html)

I haven't heard whether Slokar's contract status will impact his ability to play for the national team. Usually players do not take that risk without a signed contract with some team.

[ploto]

The holiest of holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart. --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

[angel_luv]

You remembered- I knew you would.