Toronto Raptors 2007-2008 edition

[ploto]

Update on Garbo- more bad news-


Toronto forward Jorge Garbajosa was inactive for Tuesday night's game at Dallas after team medical personnel saw something "unusual" on an MRI of his left leg, the one he broke last season.

Garbajosa has missed three of the Raptors' last four games. He is not expected to play or practice again until the team can determine the extent of the problem.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3121306

[resistanze]

Hopefully, they can hold on to the lead this year against Dallas :lol

I think they lost a 20 point lead going into the fourth in January. Whoops already down to 10.

[ploto]

That is just about the fastest half of NBA basketball I have ever seen.

Halftime
TOR 55
DAL 41

[TampaDude]

Raptors up by 14 at the half...can they hold on??? I sure hope so!!!

[angel_luv]

NO!!!!!!!!

Just got home from work and the Raptors/ Dallas game is blacked out in my area.

That is so messed up!!!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

Wait! I can listen online.

U-verse is still wrong for the black out though.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

that's game

[ploto]

:( Dirk with 4 straight 3's to end the third quarter.

[resistanze]

Good thing I'm not watching the game!

[ludda]

:( Dirk with 4 straight 3's to end the third quarter.

U'd think after the 2nd...or even 3rd they would play harder D on him. That was sick.

[ploto]

When it rains, it pours. TJ Ford with a stinger- out for the rest of the game. :(

Rasho, Garbo, TJ...

[ploto]

Just got home from work and the Raptors/ Dallas game is blacked out in my area.

That is so messed up!
Do they black out all the Mavericks games?

[ploto]

Time to check on Beno. Switched over just in time for his first basket of the night!

[greensborohill]

thanks for playing. . . try again later.

[ratm1221]

Good game Raptors fans.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Mavericks are such pieces of shit. I've never seen a team want so badly to actually accomplish something. And the local announcers never hesitate to announcer dirk the "Most Valuable Player"

How valuable is he?
Well he led his team to............

[Findog]

NO!!!!!!!!

Just got home from work and the Raptors/ Dallas game is blacked out in my area.

That is so messed up!!!!!!!!!

That's too bad. Guess you'll just have to masturbate to some old photos of Rasho instead.

Nice try, Craptors.

[DubMcDub]

Mavericks are such pieces of shit. I've never seen a team want so badly to actually accomplish something. And the local announcers never hesitate to announcer dirk the "Most Valuable Player"

How valuable is he?
Well he led his team to............

....maybe that's because he was the Most Valuable Player. Damn them for constantly referring to facts! I'd rather hear opinion, conjecture, and otherwise bullshit.

[lurker]

I'm just glad Dirk finally got back from his vacation and joined the team.

[angel_luv]

Time to check on Beno. Switched over just in time for his first basket of the night!


I want league pass.

I don't know if they black out all the Maverick games. This was the first I tried to watch.

[angel_luv]

At least I will get to see Hedo in person tomorrow and Sho and company will be here after Christmas! :)

[sribb43]

I'm just glad Dirk finally got back from his vacation and joined the team.

that was the old Nellie Dirk that showed up in the 3rd quarter

[Findog]

I've never seen a team want so badly to actually accomplish something.

Spurs are the gold standard. Mavs are trying to emulate that. How is that a bad thing?

[dirk4mvp]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, Dirk is sick.

I bet angul luv is pissed. I would be too if my least favorite team just opened a can on my favorite team of shitty euro players....

[angel_luv]

Raps win! :)


Raps 95 Griz 89
http://www.nba.com/games/20071121/TORMEM/boxscore.html

[ploto]

Odd game but still a win.

[angel_luv]

Now to get all our boys better.

[angel_luv]

A.B., Bosh, Anthony Parker, T.J. Ford, and Kapono all on the All Star Ballot. :)

[velik_m]

A.B., Bosh, Anthony Parker, T.J. Ford, and Kapono all on the All Star Ballot. :)

No Rasho? :(

[angel_luv]

No Rasho? :(


No :(

I checked, twice.

He should have been on it.

I would bump Zaza Pachulia.

[ploto]

T.J. Ford, who suffered a stinger in his left arm on Nov. 20 after a fall in Dallas, rejoined the club yesterday in Cleveland, but is doubtful for this afternoon's game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Ford missed the Nov. 21 game in Memphis. Ford did not workout at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence, Ohio, with the Raptors.

Forward Jorge Garbajosa is not with the team as a result of the recent MRI on his left ankle and leg which showed an abnormality. Garbajosa injured the ankle and leg last March in Boston and acquired a million-dollar insurance policy to play for Spain at last summer's European championships.

A Raptors spokesman said yesterday that Raptors doctors still are consulting specialists before a decision is made on Garbajosa's status. Also not in Cleveland is centre Rasho Nesterovic, who was placed on the inactive list on Nov. 16 after spraining his right ankle.
Injuries (http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/11/24/4681572-sun.html)

[ploto]

Loss to Cleveland.

Garbo update:

Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa is scheduled to undergo medical testing Monday amid rumours out of Spain that his NBA season is over.

Spanish media reported Saturday that Garbajosa will miss the remainder of the season after electing to have ankle surgery.

But general manager Bryan Colangelo disputed the report when reached at the Raptors' game at Cleveland.

"We have arranged for Jorge to consult with a specialist in Baltimore on Monday," Colangelo said in an email. "Future treatment and therapy options remain undetermined at this point."

Garbajosa wasn't with the Raptors for Saturday's 111-108 loss to the Cavaliers.

The six-foot-nine Spaniard was placed on the injured list on Tuesday so that team doctors could further investigate the results of an MRI.

"The doctors saw something. They are not sure what it is," Garbajosa told reporters on Tuesday. "So until we know what's going on there, just to prevent (further injury) I am going to rest for a while."

...Against the advice of Raptors doctors, he played for Spain in the European championships in September, but only after the Spanish federation paid a reported US $1 million for an insurance policy that expires Nov. 30.

http://aol.nba.com/raptors/news/garbo_112407.html

[ploto]

Angel--

If you have WGN on your TV, the Raptors and Bulls are on there this morning at 11:00.

[velik_m]

Raptors lead at half.

[resistanze]

Jamario Moon was some kind of pickup, damn. He's filling that long, SF role really well.

[velik_m]

Raptors defense has improved

[resistanze]

Wow, the Bulls are practically giving up but the Raptors keep taking stupid shots.

[resistanze]

DAMN, Jamario! Faking out Big Ben and hanging in the air for a fingeroll And1 over Nocioni!

[velik_m]

Moon is great.

[resistanze]

Moon: 15 Pts, 8 Rebs, 5 Blks, 3 Stls

Calderon: 17 Pts, 14 Asts, 1 TO

[velik_m]

The bulls just gave up. No wonder they suck this year.

Nice win for Raptors though.

[Armando]

And the Bulls lose another one. I still wonder why they took Thomas over Aldridge.

[angel_luv]

The bulls just gave up. No wonder they suck this year.

Nice win for Raptors though.


Yea Raps! :)

[angel_luv]

Angel--

If you have WGN on your TV, the Raptors and Bulls are on there this morning at 11:00.


I was at church and so missed it.

I'll have to remember about WGN and the Bulls for next time.

hvala for telling me. :)

[Pero]

Rasho is a father now, he has a son.

[velik_m]

Nikola. Born on friday.

[ploto]

Rasho is a father now, he has a son.
I figured that was why he was really out but I did not want to say anything. Congrats Rasho. :toast

[ploto]

Rašo Nesterović dobil sina

Kapetan slovenske moške košarkarske reprezentance Rašo Nesterovič, ki si športni kruh sicer služi pri moštvu Toronto Raptors, je pri 31 letih dobil prvega otroka. Žena Maja mu je v petek, 23. novembra, namreč povila sina Nikolo, ki je ob porodu meril 54 centimetrov in tehtal štiri kilograme. Čestitkam ob srečnem dogodku se pridružujemo tudi na Košarkarski zvezi Slovenije, vsem trem pa želimo čim več sreče in zdravja.

http://www.kzs-zveza.si/kzs/index.php?x=2&novica=1342

If my conversions are right, that is a BIG baby! No surprise, though.

[velik_m]

Rasho Nesterovic got a son

The captain of slovenian national team, who earns his sports bread at Toronto Raptors, got his first child at the age of 31. His wife Maja delivered him a son Nikola, measuring 54 centimeters (little over 21 inches) and weighing 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds), on friday 23rd of November.

[ata]

8.8 lbs, 21 1/4 inch
not small at all :)

[BgT]

8.8 lbs, 21 1/4 inch
not small at all :)
I was considerably bigger than that. And I'm 5'11 now. So it's not really an indicator. :lol

When did he get married, I didn't know that.

[ata]

OFF: you don't *need" to be married to have children ;)
(sorry I couldn't resist)

ON: no info, Rasho is keeping his private life, well, private

[BgT]

OFF: you don't *need" to be married to have children ;)
(sorry I couldn't resist)
I know that, but I also know, that he IS married to Maša or Maja, I can't remember now, that's why I asked.

[Slomo]

ON: no info, Rasho is keeping his private life, well, private:tu

[Kobayagi]

ON: no info, Rasho is keeping his private life, well, private


He should've learned from Tony how to do that. :fro

[angel_luv]

8.8 lbs, 21 1/4 inch
not small at all :)


:oops I weighed more than that when I was born and I think I was a bit shorter.

:oops :lol

Congrats Sho!

I bet that is one precious baby. :)

[ploto]

Rasho, a new dad last Friday, did everything at practice today and looks good to go Wednesday. And Sam told us today that when he comes back, he'll go back in the starting lineup and Andrea goes back to coming off the bench.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2007/11/a-little-more-t.html

[Hemotivo]

He should've learned from Tony how to do that. :fro
:blah :lol

[ploto]

The Littlest Raptor


It's official: Rasho gets the start. Ankle is fine. Over-under on his first dunk? My man Bruce Arthur says January 7th. I take the over.

Rasho Nesterovic is the new father to a big (“9 pounds, 54 centimetres”) bouncing boy, Nikola. All are doing well, apparently.

Also doing well is Rasho’s ankle. He reported himself good to go yesterday. Providing there’s no soreness today he’s going to play against Memphis tonight, and chances are he’ll start, with Andrea Bargnani back to coming off the bench.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071128.WBwbbasketball20071128100931/WBStory/WBwbbasketball

[ploto]

Rasho's back, and so, sort of, is Garbo
Rasho Nesterovic will be back in the Raptors starting lineup tonight.

In a move that will shift Andrea Bargnani back onto the bench, the veteran centre returns from a six-game absence thanks to a sprained ankle to face the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at the Air Canada Centre.

"Yep, he’ll start," coach Sam Mitchell said this morning.

On Tuesday after practice, Mitchell laid out his reasons for making the switch.

“Mostly you want guys to come off the bench (as) energy guys and you want to put him (Nesterovic) out there right after the warm-up," said the coach. "Andrea's still young so he's still got the body and mental attitude to come off the bench."

No talking allowed

Garbo’s here. And like that other great Garbo, he wants to be left alone.

Walking, or hobbling actually, with the aid of crutches, injured Raptor power forward Jorge Garbajosa was at shootaround Wednesday morning at the Air Canada Centre.

But it’s going to be a little while before anyone hears what he thinks about this whole other surgery thing.

With insurance issues still to be cleared up – and any time anyone deals with insurance companies that might have to fork out millions of dollars, it’s a dicey situation – Garbo’s been told to not offer any comment.

It’s easy to understand why he, or the team, won’t talk about specifics of his injury or what’s ahead. He’ll have to examined by insurance company doctors who’ll offer their opinion on his ankle, leg and when it all went bad. Then, there are sure to be negotiations, or maybe heated discussions, on who pays who how much.
http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2007/11/rashos-back-and.html

[Pero]

Bad luck for Raps, Bosh and Bargnani out with injury. Up by 20 against Memphis though.

[ploto]

Nice win- bad injuries. Rasho looked pretty good- 10 points his first game back.

[angel_luv]

Nice win- bad injuries. Rasho looked pretty good- 10 points his first game back.


Good work Sho. Good work team. :tu

[velik_m]

Gasol 4-12 from the field.

[ploto]

Today's is that T.J. Ford is definitely going to play and definitely going to come off the bench tonight when the Raptors play Cleveland.

"Until he gets his legs back and his timing," was how Sam described Ford's backup role right now. "We'll work him back in slowly but we need T.J."

Nothing has changed with the other walking wounded on either team.

Andrea Bargnani will play, Chris Bosh might and LeBron James is still what they call a game-time decision.

James did wander in to take part in the Cavs shootaround but he doesn't deign to talk to the media game-day mornings so we don't know what he's thinking or how his banged-up finger is. He'll conduct an audience pre-game only.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/

[ploto]

Raps win 91-82. Career highs in points for both Andrea and Delfino. Not much offense for Rasho tonight- but he had 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists and most importantly held Ilgauskas to only 6 points and 6 rebounds (he's averaging 14.5 PPG aand 11.5 RPG).

http://www.nba.com/media/raptors/rasho350cavs3.jpg

[ploto]

Just a reminder--

Raps at Wizards on NBA TV tonight. Looking forward to watching them on HD. :D

[ata]

Just a reminder--

Raps at Wizards on NBA TV tonight. Looking forward to watching them on HD. :D

Also on slovenian network Sporklub (1 a.m.) :elephant

PS: Tommorow Spurs-Trailblazers 9:30 p.m.

[angel_luv]

Rasho had 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists and most importantly held Ilgauskas to only 6 points and 6 rebounds (he's averaging 14.5 PPG aand 11.5 RPG).

:fro


Just a reminder--

Raps at Wizards on NBA TV tonight. Looking forward to watching them on HD. :D

I wish this was the game on a channel I have. I'll be home tonight.

Good luck Raps!

[Kamnik]

Also on slovenian network Sporklub (1 a.m.) :elephant

PS: Tommorow Spurs-Trailblazers 9:30 p.m.


UAAAAAAAH

MY FIRST REAL NBA GAME THIS SEASON IM WATCHING!!! :elephant :elephant

[Kamnik]

My first half observations:

-Rasho played well... good defence, good rebounding

-Baragnani sucked... looked like a lost rookie, bad shot selection at times (doesnt try to drive), awful defence

-Moon... plays well, where was this guy hidden for so many years?

-Kapono... shot very well and played smart (offensively)



When Rasho isnt on the floor defense is automatically worse. (also because it means Baragnani is almost certanily playing)

[angel_luv]

UAAAAAAAH

MY FIRST REAL NBA GAME THIS SEASON IM WATCHING!!! :elephant :elephant


Awesome! :)

[ploto]

My first half observations:

-Rasho played well... good defence, good rebounding

When Rasho isnt on the floor defense is automatically worse. (also because it means Baragnani is almost certanily playing)
Raptors looked good until Rasho went to the bench in the second quarter- huh? People who only look at box scores do not understand what he means to this team.

[angel_luv]

Raps will be in S.A. before too long. :)

[Kamnik]

Raptors looked good until Rasho went to the bench in the second quarter- huh? People who only look at box scores do not understand what he means to this team.

Rasho is great professional, always focused...

He has one big problem though imo...

As he always plays as good as he can (what many others dont) he has a hard time stepping his game up during playoffs.

Meaning he is great for regular season but is seldom useful come playiffs.




Anyways.... great game until now from him :toast

Since Spain i admire him :toast

[Kamnik]

Holy shit how awful is Baragnani...

The moment he went out Raptors started playing well.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

Holy shit how awful is Baragnani...

The moment he went out Raptors started playing well.

all the bargnani hype is crazy in toronto and hes not that good, he doesn't play defence he doesn't rebound and on offence all he does is shoot the 3 i can't stand all the hype he gets around here, sure he can shoot but so can alot of other bigs in the nba

[ploto]

What you saw was a classic Bargnani night that frustrates Raptor fans. When he does not shoot well, he completely disappears- defensively, rebounding, etc. The Raptors are aggravated with Humphries; Garbo is out for good, so with Bosh out it pretty much leaves Rasho and Andrea. The team is fine with Rasho as the lone big, but with Andrea as the lone big- uh, oh!

Rasho: 3/4; 6 points; 8 rebounds; 2 assists; +7 (best on team)

I am glad to see Rasho looking pretty good after missing 2 weeks and playing this many minutes on back-to-back nights.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

i can see why bargnani doesn't grab many rebounds on offence atleast hes never any where near the paint, and he has about a 3 inch verticle

[resistanze]

Bargnani is just too inconsistent. He drops 26 points last night, disappears the next. Doesn't rebound well either.

Hell, even his offensive game is a little spastic. I always cringe when he's not catching and shooting, because he ends up looking like a chicken with its head cut off whenever he puts the ball on the floor. I like how he's versatile, but sometimes I wonder how the team would look if they drafted Rudy Gay.

C: Nesterovic/Filler
PF: Bosh/Humpries/Baston
SF: Gay/Moon/Garbajosa
SG: Parker/Delfino/Kapono
PG: Ford/Calderon

Damn...

[ploto]

i can see why bargnani doesn't grab many rebounds on offence atleast hes never any where near the paint, and he has about a 3 inch verticle
But tonight-- 2 rebounds in 25 minutes!

On offense, I would at least like to see him run toward the paint when a shot goes up.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

But tonight-- 2 rebounds in 25 minutes!

On offense, I would at least like to see him run toward the paint when a shot goes up.
he just looks like a lazy guy to me, sit at the 3 and wait for a pass so he can jack it up or set a screen and jack up a 3 lol

[ploto]

Sam Mitchell could see it coming, even if the statistics suggested otherwise because coaches see flaws that others don’t and statistics never tell the whole truth. When it was suggested to the Raptor coach an hour or so before last night’s game that his team’s defence had improved, surely a sign that should please him, he scoffed at the notion.

He pointed out that his team still made too many mistakes, left too many shooters too wide open and then, as if they had heard what he said, the players went out and proved his points correct....

Mitchell credits the turnaround, of late, to the return of Rasho Nesterovic, who does nothing flashy but anchor the interior of the Raptor defence. Now in his 10th season, the 7-footer’s ability to direct traffic inside is his most valuable asset.

“The best guy on our team is Rasho,” said the coach. “That’s the thing our guys need to learn how to do is communicate, Rasho talks back there, he lets people know what’s going on and he covers up for a lot of our mistakes. A lot of our younger players just have to get better at it.”

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NBA/article/281754

[Amuseddaysleeper]

if the best guy on the team is rasho, then the raptors have worse issues this season than even I imagined.

[angel_luv]

Oh boo, we lost!

[ploto]

if the best guy on the team is rasho, then the raptors have worse issues this season than even I imagined.
Defensively, he is their best player.

[ploto]

In addition to missing Bosh, Toronto will probably also be without Bargnani, who suffered a hyper-extended left knee when Blatche blocked him in the first half on Saturday. Bosh did not participate in drills Sunday, only shooting off to the side during the team's practice. Bargnani, who returned to the floor in Saturday's game, did not suit up for practice Sunday as he awaited further testing on the knee.

That means it is anybody's guess as to who starts beside centre Rasho Nesterovic at the power forward slot tonight.

Injuries (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/story/4087301p-4686106c.html)

I bet they move Moon over to PF and start Kapono.

[angel_luv]

Injuries (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/story/4087301p-4686106c.html)

I bet they move Moon over to PF and start Kapono.

Get better A.B.

New Year's resolution for the Raps needs to be to stay healthy.
Feel free to start on that early guys. :)

[velik_m]

Rasho will have double-double tonight.

[ploto]

He came back just in time-- with no Bosh, no Bargnani,and Garbo out indefinitely, they would be left with Humphries and Baston as the big men.

BTW, what is wrong with Brezec? His season is a major disappointment and after he sat out the summer with the national team because he said he needed to focus on his NBA career.

[ata]

Brezec had serios problems with exhaustion. It took about a year to figure out that he has problems with thyroid gland. He couldn't get in shape, he actually lost some musces.
Before the beginning of the season the problem was discovered and he is picking up. Bobcats support him, coach doesn't want to play him too much, hence not much playing time for him yet.
Hopefully he'll be at full strenght in February/March

[Pero]

WOW, that really sucks...

[Slomo]

Brezec had serios problems with exhaustion. It took about a year to figure out that he has problems with thyroid gland. He couldn't get in shape, he actually lost some musces.
Before the beginning of the season the problem was discovered and he is picking up. Bobcats support him, coach doesn't want to play him too much, hence not much playing time for him yet.
Hopefully he'll be at full strenght in February/MarchI knew about last year's problems, but didn't know about the thyroid gland issue. I did noticed how he was very slowly worked in the rotation and was wondering why that was.

Good luck to Primoz, and mad props to the Bobcats for standing by him :tu

[ata]

http://www.rtvslo.si/sport/modload.php?&c_mod=rnews&op=sections&func=read&c_menu=4&c_id=36730

http://www.primorske.si/pn/article_wide.aspx?pDesc=12368,1,42

Here are the interviews, major props to Jordan also!

[Pero]

Primož Brezec v ligi NBA igra že sedmo sezono. Na naboru ga je leta 2001 izbrala Indiana Pacers. Zanje je igral do leta 2004, ko je odšel v novoustanovljeno ekipo lige NBA Charlotte Bobcats. Sezona 2005/06 je bila Brezčeva najboljša doslej v najmočnejši košarkarski ligi na svetu. Igral je 79 tekem in dosegel povprečno 27,4 točk na tekmo. Lani, ko je vso sezono igral obremenjen z zdravstvenimi težavami, je igral na 58 tekmah s povprečjem 14,5 točke na tekmo.

Huh?

[ata]

It should be minutes instead of points!

[angel_luv]

I hope Brezec gets all healed up soon.

How are Smodis and Boki doing? And Jaka and Saso?

Good luck to the Raps tonight. :)

[Pero]

How are Smodis and Boki doing? And Jaka and Saso?

Injured, not so well right now, great, injured.

[ploto]

Typical Rasho scoring pattern: 3/4; 6 points in the first quarter.

Made shots: a sweeping hook, a baby hook off an offensive board, and a 16 foot jumper. Missed shot- dunk! But, at least he tried to make a strong move to the basket.

[ploto]

It took about a year to figure out that he has problems with thyroid gland. He couldn't get in shape, he actually lost some musces.
Before the beginning of the season the problem was discovered and he is picking up.
Thanks, I knew something wasn't right, but I did not know the details. I am glad they discovered what the problem is.

[resistanze]

Damn, Rap's B team smacked around Charlotte. Not that hard to do, but still impressive.

[ploto]

I kind of felt bad for Charlotte. Their season had started off pretty well.

[angel_luv]

Injured, not so well right now, great, injured.


hvala.

Hope things improve for everyone. Glad Jaka is doing well.

[angel_luv]

Good win Raps. :)

[ploto]

Phoenix in town. Sam said this morning that he does not expect any of Bosh, Ford, or Bargnani tonight.

[ploto]

Guess TJ is feeling better.


Just left shoot-around and the good news is T.J. Ford declared himself fit to play tonight against the Suns, meaning the Raptors won't be trying to stop Nash with Darrick Martin. It will be interesting to see if Ford is a little crisper than he was when he tried to come back on the weekend. It will also be interesting to see Nash deal with Forderon -- Calderon was out when the Raptors got blown out in Arizona last year and Ford was out when the Raptors lost a squeaker to the Suns in Toronto.

Calderon will start with Ford in relief; Bosh and Bargnani are out, as expected, and Graham will start again.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball

[ploto]

First Quarter-- Rasho 5/8 10 points 4 rebounds.
Only bad part- he missed his first 2 free throws of the season.

TORONTO 28
PHOENIX 33

[angel_luv]

Only bad part- he missed his first 2 free throws of the season.



I had no idea he was off to such an excellent free throw start.

Way to go Sho. :)

[angel_luv]

Too bad we lost to Phoenix.

We'll get them next time. :)

[ploto]

Rasho played a pretty nice game-- 6/9; 12 points 7 rebounds in 23 minutes, but then it turned into a track meet and an outisde shooting game, and the Raptors went small-really small.

Ford
Calderon
Parker
Delfino
Moon

Sean Marks even got to play 3 minutes and score 2 points.

[ploto]

Dancing in the streets of Ljubljana


You probably didn’t see the glee along press row when Rasho had that put-back dunk in the third quarter.

But it meant Bea Arthur, um, I mean B. Arthur, won a bet with M. Grange. When Rasho came back from his injury, they set an over and under date when he’d have his first dunk.

It was Jan. 7 and Frick, or is Frack?, took the under.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2007/12/the-morning-a-4.html

[angel_luv]

:lol about the bet. Awesome. :)



Sean Marks even got to play 3 minutes and score 2 points.

The Kiwi! I miss him. :)

[angel_luv]

Time to take down the Celtics!

Dajmo Raps! :cheer

[ploto]

Time to take down the Celtics!

Dajmo Raps! :cheer
No Bosh
No Garbo
No Bargnani
:depressed

[angel_luv]

No Bosh
No Garbo
No Bargnani
:depressed

Yes.

But ( wait for it, wait for it :) )

Great news!
Sho, Delfino, Dixon, Ford, Graham, Humphries, Kapono, Martin, Moon, Parker, Baston are all in. :elephant


Celtics are going down like Goliath. :clap
Believe! :toast

[ata]

Great 2nd half for Raptors!
Good win!

[velik_m]

Yeah, good comeback from raptors.

[ploto]

Nice to see the old Chris Bosh back in the second half. Yao only had 2 baskets on Rasho all game!

Of particular note-- today marks three consecutive games with a dunk for Rasho ! :D

[angel_luv]

Way to go Raps! :)

[ploto]

It was so annoying to have to watch the Houston commentators for this game, as they somehow knew nothing about Rasho. First, the guy claimed that Rasho could not guard Yao, and then he said Rasho was only getting to play because of the injury to Bargnani! I was so happy to see him do his usual good defensive job on Yao. Also, it was Rasho who made the Raptors go ahead basket on a tip in and they never trailed again!


Rasho Nesterovic spearheaded a terrific defensive effort against Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming, who finished with just 15 points.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=7371

I was very proud of the defensive third quarter by the Raptors who held Houston to just 11 points in the quarter.

http://www.nba.com/media/raptors/rockets_091207_8.jpg

[ploto]

Nice news out of Chicago for the Slovenian National Team.

The Olympic qualifying tournament will be held in Greece- as opposed to Puerto Rico which was the other site being considered. Makes it nicer for all the European teams :spin , but not so nice for someone from the US wanting to go see them play. :depressed

[angel_luv]

Nice news out of Chicago for the Slovenian National Team.

The Olympic qualifying tournament will be held in Greece- as opposed to Puerto Rico which was the other site being considered. Makes it nicer for all the European teams :spin , but not so nice for someone from the US wanting to go see them play. :depressed


Greece. I would LOVE to go there.

Hmmmm. :)

[ploto]

There is the separate thread on TJ- but also of note:

Jorge was scheduled for surgery today.

Kapono also got hurt in this game-- wrist.

Jose even was hurt but they popped his finger back in and he went back into the game.

Bargnani was back tonight.

[angel_luv]

Boys, boys, boys!

The team's health is going to the top of my daily prayer list.

Get completely well and soon, all!

[angel_luv]

Link to the Ford thread:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83203&page=1&pp=26

[ploto]

Kapono played and shot well despite the injury- on his non-shooting hand.

TJ was at the game.

Garbo is out indefinitely.

Jose was in pain but obviously played.

[angel_luv]

What a nice win to wake up to.

The game was blacked out for me ( boo!) but from the box score looks like a nice balanced attack from our guys.

Sho was 5 of 6 from the field. :fro

Calderon had a great game, especially for being hurt.

Raps are the truth, baby! Whoosh! :D

[ploto]

A treat for you, Angel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xN7tTvURTg

[angel_luv]

A treat for you, Angel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xN7tTvURTg


awww... my night is made now!

hvala lepa.

Side note: I don't know that I will ever get to but I would love to see Sho's son.
That baby must be so adorable. :)

[Kobayagi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xN7tTvURTg


I love this year's Raps team. 0:38 of that clip shows why.
:fro

[angel_luv]

I love this year's Raps team. 0:38 of that clip shows why.
:fro


I just wish Uros was still on the team.

He's super cool!

[ploto]

Nice come from behind win for the Raptors in Indiana.

Kapono with a light's out shooting performance-- career high 29 points with 17 in the fourth quarter.

"It feels great,'' he said. "You want to take about 40 shots. I kept yelling 'Hey, pass me the ball.' They say, 'You're standing 45 feet outside of the three-point arc.' I'm saying 'Hey, pass me the ball, still.' It's just one of those rare times when you feel like every shot you take is a good shot.'

Jose with 18 points and 16 assists.

On the injury front, Delfino with a gash and stitches.

After that awful stretch, Raptors with 4 wins in a row headed into a Celtics game at home on Sunday and then the 7 game Western road swing.

[ploto]

I just wish Uros was still on the team.

He's super cool!
His team seems to be doing pretty well. I am just glad he is getting some much needed playing time.

http://www.euroleague.net/ulebcup/home/on-court/players/showplayer?clubcode=dyr&pcode=BWY

[angel_luv]

hvala for the link. :)

[velik_m]

The Celtics are killing the Raptors

[themvp]

hvala for the link. :)

Hvala za [for] povezavo [link] :) :toast

[velik_m]

The Boston commentators are such homers. :td

Lousy half from Raptors. :td :td

[angel_luv]

Hvala za [for] povezavo [link] :) :toast

And hvala lepa for the Slovene lesson. :)

( p.s. how do I say that in Slovene? :) )

[themvp]

And hvala lepa for the Slovene lesson. :)

( p.s. how do I say that in Slovene? :) )


Hvala za Slovensko lekcijo. or Hvala lepa za lekcijo v slovenščini :)

[velik_m]

Damn the leaky roof

[velik_m]

Bosh sucks today

[velik_m]

Parker is invisible out there.

[velik_m]

Raptors have no rebounding and they panic in defense. First round exit.

[angel_luv]

There is a lot of time between now and play offs.

Let's hope for the best. :)

[ploto]

The workout here yesterday was a strange one. The Raptors practised at a full-size court at the private Bel Air home of a local basketball enthusiast. The home of rabid Laker fan Steve Jackson has a replica of the Staples Center court, a bowling alley, movie theatre, tennis court and games room and is used by a handful of visiting teams as their practice facility in Los Angeles.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/286532

[angel_luv]

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/286532


That is too cool!

[ploto]

Ugly- but I will take any win on the road.

Rasho played amazing defense on Kaman- who only had one basket the entire time Rasho was in the game.

[velik_m]

Parker is invisible out there.

[ploto]

He's been playing with a groin problem for a while now and it is tough to see him play that poorly.

[angel_luv]

Raps are here in a week! :elephant :elephant

:)

[ploto]

An uncertain future-- TJ Ford


After consulting with two prominent specialists in the U.S. concerning the state of his back, neck and arms, Raptors point guard T.J. Ford is back home in Houston, contemplating his now precarious future in the NBA.

Ford, who missed the entire 2004-05 NBA season after undergoing neck surgery, has already suffered two related arm 'stingers' since last year's playoffs, and a head injury after a fall on Dec. 11 in Atlanta, and has not returned to action since.

Ford had an appointment with back/neck specialist, Dr. Patrick O'Leary in New York on Wednesday, after previously consulting Los Angeles specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, on Monday. Ford departed New York yesterday. He will not join the team for the remainder of the club's current four-game west coast swing (with games tonight in Seattle and tomorrow in Phoenix), but is expected to meet up with the club when they convene on Dec.26 in San Antonio. The Raptors will practice for two days in San Antonio in preparation for their game against the Spurs on Dec.28 at the AT&T Center.

"We are consulting with a number of specialists to get as much information as possible regarding T.J.'s condition. Once enough information is compiled, we will chart a course for his return to basketball activity," Raptors President and GM Bryan Colangelo said, adding that the club will probably send Ford to even more specialists to get a clearer picture of his condition.

The fear within the organization is that Ford's back/neck problems may eventually result in his premature retirement from the NBA.
Uncertain (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/12/21/4735361-sun.html)

[resistanze]

:lol Sorry gals, Durant just POSTERIZED Rasho. Jebus!

[resistanze]

Man, the Raptors played no defense whatsoever in that second half, it was pathetic. Now they gotta face the Suns, Spurs, Rockets and Hornets and can easily be on a 6 game skid.

Oh yeah...
N8230nkuMsg

[ploto]

Raps are here in a week! :elephant :elephant

:)
Thought you would like to know that they are actually going to be in SA longer than a team normally would be. Usually, teams arrive the evening of the day before the game after practicing at home.

Instead, after the game tonight in Phoenix, the players are free for the holidays. That way those players who have family in the US do not have to fly back to Toronto just to fly all the way back to places like Texas or California. Those who want to go back to Toronto can on the team plane, but the rest can head wherever they want. Then, they are off through the 23, 24, and 25.

All of the players will meet up in San Antonio the afternoon of the 26th with those guys who spent the holidays in Toronto coming from Toronto on the team plane but the rest getting to SA on their own. Again, that way they do not have to travel all the way back to Toronto- dealing with a foreign country... and then back out to the US again. The Raptors will actually practice in San Antonio the evening of the 26th and practice again in SA on the 27th with the usual game day schedule on the 28th. Raptors play in Houston on the 29th.

[ploto]

Get ready for the Raptors defense to get even worse. Sam has said that they are moving Andrea into the starting center spot and it is basically his for good. I suppose the reward for sucking is a starting spot. Guess they have decided to put development of him over winning now. See Rasho fade away on the bench. I don't think he is even going to play tonight against Phoenix. I can't wait to see the Raptors attempt to stop Duncan and Yao next week with Andrea and Humphries!

[resistanze]

God damn, Bargnani is horrible.

We already know he can't play D, so what good is he if he can't make a shot?

[ploto]

One minute to go third quarter:

Suns 100
Raptors 81

Amare with 24 points and 8 rebounds.

[lefty]

what a play by Nash !!!! :elephant :elephant :elephant

[ploto]

Bosh having a career night but it does no good when the team plays no defense.

[ploto]

I meant to add one other thought-- I think the move of Andrea into the starting line-up means that Ford isn't coming back anytime soon. Ford always plays well with Rasho-- they really do sometimes remind me of 2004 Parker and Rasho.

[ploto]

"Right now, for us to be what we want to be, Andrea needs to get out there," said Mitchell. "He needs to grow and he needs to understand, he needs to make his mistakes and he’s got to learn from them."

"You only learn certain lessons sitting on the bench and you only learn certain lessons practicing. It has to be game application; he has to get out there and play and it’s our job as coaches to sit him down and correct him and continue to coach him and continue to get him better...

"I think Rasho did what we needed him to do," said Mitchell. "We’re 15-13 but for us to continue to grow as a team and get to where we have to go eventually and be the team we hope to be, we all believe that Andrea eventually has got to be the starting centre."

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NBA/article/288241

[ploto]

Funny blog:

Okay, so I have the kid off to bed, have a few Shopsy’s dogs lined up, pull a Sleeman’s out of the fridge (wha? No MGD? I know…) and get ready to sit down to watch the game when I hear that Bargnani is starting at centre, which kickstarts a “Clouseau-esque” series of pratfalls that includes me almost dropping my dinner and spraying beer across the room. WHA? So just to make sure, I put down my bevarage and look at the screen and yes, I see a photo of Bargnani starting at centre. I do a quick series of events in my head, just to double check that this is the same second year player currently struggling as badly as a player can struggle and that the Raptors are playing AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBRE TEAM and yes, I am right again. So I start trying to figure out the logic behind it. I mean, Sam said in an interview the other day that it wasn’t up to him to light a fire under Bargnani, that it was up to Bargnani to do that, so by starting him ahead of Rasho at centre against one of the best teams in the league, he couldn’t have been trying to light a fire under Bargnani, because that would make him out to be a liar. Okay, so then he must think that the smart move, the STRATEGIC move is to put the player who is struggling the most, who is at possibly the lowest point in his career against a team that can get up and down the court in a flash and move the ball around the floor like the Montreal Canadiens used to move the puck on a power play in the late 70s. Pass, pass, pass, pass, score. I’ve got it, the STRATEGIC move is to put a guy who on his best days has problems defending slow teams into the starting lineup, to reward his poor play of late. But again, Sam isn’t trying to light a fire under him, because he said it wasn’t up to him.

So let’s do a little PTI “Role Play.” “Hi, I’m Rasho Nesterovic. I’ve been playing a pretty good centre for the Toronto Raptors, especially on the defensive end, where I have been boxing guys out. My minutes in the past few games haven’t been huge, but when I have been on the floor, I have been pretty solid. I’m looking forward to playing against the Suns, because I think I can help shut down Amare Stoudemire with my strong positional play. When I get to the arena, Sam Mitchell tells me that the kid who is struggling is going to be starting ahead of me. I once again question my coach and then decide that if presented with the opportunity, I will reach into his chest, pull out his heart and eat it in front of him.” Okay, well maybe he wouldn’t say the last part, but seriously, if you’re Rasho, aren’t you wondering what the hell is going on? Here’s the thing too, it’s not like he just didn’t start, he was a DNP-CD. Coach’s Decision! I thought that I had missed an injury report, that something had happened to Rasho on the way from the hotel, like he had tripped and smacked his head, but no, apparently that happened to Sam.
http://raptorsforum.com/?p=301

[angel_luv]

Merry Christmas, Slovenia.

Merry Christmas, Canada.

Merry Christmas, Ploto. :)

[angel_luv]

3 days and counting down!!!!!!!!!!

Here come the Raps! :)

[ata]

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/

Sorry Angel, but don't expect to see much action from Rasho.
Sam obviously found escape goat for poor defence in Rasho and Moon, and is ready to start Bargnani.

[angel_luv]

I hope Sho plays the most in the second quarter when I will be finished work and able to give the game my full attention.

At any rate, it will be nice to see him and I have an excellent view of the visitors area of the arena from my restaurant.


Two days and counting down!!!!!!! :)

[angel_luv]

Only one day to go!
Whooooooooosh! :fro

[angel_luv]

It's today! :D

[angel_luv]

Impressive win by the Raps.

Me thinks Sho advised them well.

The Raps started out rough but I was very proud of them once they got their game on.
I like the additions of Kapono and Delfino.
Calderon was just awesome.
A.B. frustrated me at times ( granted a lot of this stemmed from him being in the game instead of Sho) but had some good moments.
Humphries did well. Nice team effort, really.

Good for you, Raps!


It was nice to see Sho although I am really disappointed that Coach Mitchell kept him on the bench.
I wanted Sho to hear me cheering for him.

[T Park]

:lmao @ Rasho sucking so bad now that hes a 12th man on the Raptors.

Great trade Colangelo you fucktard.

[mikejones99]

Play rasho or trade him. Raps goin nowhere if he does not play.

[ata]

:lmao @ Rasho sucking so bad now that hes a 12th man on the Raptors.

Great trade Colangelo you fucktard.
You are wrong (as usual)

Read this: http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2147172&postcount=32

[angel_luv]

Looks like Houston was a problem for the Raps. :(

http://www.nba.com/games/20071229/TORHOU/boxscore.html

[ata]

I think, that Mitchell and Bargnani were hurting Raps even more, than Rockets did.

[angel_luv]

http://i6.tinypic.com/86gs39j.jpg

[ploto]

Raptors- Hornets
NBA TV

[resistanze]

Big win for the Raps. Thank God Chris Paul choked down the stretch @ the FT line, you don't get that most often.

Parker played really well, locking down CP3 in the last few minutes. It was good to see Peterson again.

[lefty]

http://i6.tinypic.com/86gs39j.jpg

Wow, love this pic :elephant

[ploto]

Vote for Chris Bosh.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hv7IZP7u9FE


Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell admitted that he will have to think twice before he goes off on one of his players or a referee tomorrow night when his club faces the Detroit Pistons at the ACC.

Mitchell will be wearing a microphone, as will Detroit head coach Flip Saunders, for the game which will be broadcast in the United States on ESPN. At times during the contest, selected comments from the two coaches will be broadcast for the benefit of the viewing audience.

"You just try to behave yourself and watch your language the best you can," said Mitchell, one of the more colourful and outspoken coaches in the NBA. "But I have confidence that the NBA is not going to let me embarrass myself or the organization. You just try to keep your emotions in check.

"I still have to do my job," he added. "Other than watching my language, I don't think it's going to affect me. And I need to do that anyway. I'm constantly trying to clean up my vocabulary."

BOSH'S HOLIDAY FUN

The YouTube.com video that Chris Bosh made over the Christmas holiday is attracting a lot of attention. Bosh, complete with a cowboy hat and a beer belly, comes across as used car salesman type in the video -- except he is not peddling cars, but is encouraging fans to vote him on to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

KID'S TOURNAMENT

The Chris Bosh Foundation is holding their second annual Bosh's Kids Basketball Tournament. It will take place this Saturday at the Hoop Dome (75 Carl Hall Rd.) in the Downsview Park area. Sixteen teams will be participating, with youth 13-17 years old. The tournament begins at noon and individual and team awards will be given courtesy of Nike Canada, Toronto Raptors Basketball Club and Frame it On Bloor.

The event was held at Scadding Court Community Center last year. By having it at a larger facility, eight more teams (16 total) will be able to participate. Each team is guaranteed at least three 20 minute games.


http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2008/01/03/4750523-sun.html

[ploto]

Raptors- Pistons
Friday night
ESPN

Detroit has won 10 in a row and 17 of their last 19. :dizzy

[ata]

Pistons will win 11th in a row.

Mitchell sucks.

[angel_luv]

Raptors- Pistons
Friday night
ESPN

Detroit has won 10 in a row and 17 of their last 19. :dizzy


On ESPN! I am so going to tivo it! :)

[angel_luv]

Television set. :)

[Rip-Hamilton32]

should be an easy win for detroit because the raptors blow this year

[bdubya]

I got this funny feeling Delfino's gonna go off and hit us with his NBA career high.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

I got this funny feeling Delfino's gonna go off and hit us with his NBA career high.
career high in flops maybe lol i didn't notice how much he flopped until i watched all these raptor games

[Pistons < Spurs]

Good game tonight! Moon and Parker didn't have their best games, but Bargnani did. And poor Delfino flat out sucked against his old team. poor kid..I still like him, but his inconsistencies are gonna find him playing in Europe next year.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Moon was a nice pick up overall I think the Raps looked pretty good.

[Kamnik]

Raps arent going anywhere with this rooster.

They have to get a good center in the mix. Rasho is good defensively but we know what happens in the playoffs.

I would trade away Baragnani and TJ Ford for someone like Emeka Okafor and a backup point guard. But unfortunately their trade values are a lot lower than last year. (i was already talking about a trade like this last year)

Baragnani is and will be an even bigger disapoitment unfortunately.

I had big hopes for him but his defence SUCKS, his rebounding is almost non existent and he settles for jump shots too much. Not a good learning curve...

[angel_luv]

I was up with a cold at 2 am this morning and so turned on the espn replay of the game.

But I only watched the first quarter because I knew Sho had not played and had
already accidentally heard on sports center that the Raps had lost.

Also I was super drowsy. :sick

[ploto]

Just grateful I got to see Rasho play in Houston- it seems those appearances will be few and far between. :depressed

[ata]

Just grateful I got to see Rasho play in Houston- it seems those appearances will be few and far between. :depressed
I wouldn't have problem with that, if Rasho would be substituded with better player and/or team would play better. In this case it is just :pctoss

[ploto]

I had big hopes for him but his defence SUCKS, his rebounding is almost non existent and he settles for jump shots too much. Not a good learning curve...
I just don't get it--they told him he had to rebound to start and yet he still starts when he does not rebound at all!

Last night- 41 minutes; 2 rebounds

Previous game- 31 minutes; 2 rebounds

Rockets- one rebound at half time; ended up with 6

Spurs- 34 minutes; 3 rebounds

Phoenix- 30 minutes; 3 rebounds

Since being made a starter, he is averaging 3.2 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game.

[ploto]

I wouldn't have problem with that, if Rasho would be substituded with better player and/or team would play better. In this case it is just :pctoss
Rasho is a team first kind of guy, but he does not enjoy sitting on a bench watching his team play awful defense and lose.

[angel_luv]

Just grateful I got to see Rasho play in Houston- it seems those appearances will be few and far between. :depressed


I am glad for you.

I really felt cheated when the Raps were here. I didn't expect Sho to play a lot of minutes but I thought surely he would play a little.

[lefty]

Damn, Raps blew a good lead...

LeBron with 24 pts in the 4th quarter !!!! :elephant :elephant :elephant

[Armando]

Damn Raptors they let Queen James go off in the 4th.

[ludda]

Damn Raptors they let Queen James go off in the 4th.

He blamed it on two female fans that were heckling him the whole game, said they pissed him off and its their fault the raps lost :lol

[Armando]

He blamed it on two female fans that were heckling him the whole game, said they pissed him off and its their fault the raps lost :lol


I know I saw the game. :lol

[angel_luv]

Damn, Raps blew a good lead...

LeBron with 24 pts in the 4th quarter !!!!



Way to go defense. That's terrible to let any player score so much in one quarter, even if it is Lebron James.

[ploto]

He blamed it on two female fans that were heckling him the whole game, said they pissed him off and its their fault the raps lost :lol
CB 4's girlfriend :dizzy

[ploto]

So, let’s say you’re Bryan Colangelo and you’re out there shopping. What do you offer? Despite pleas of the ‘sky-is-falling, they’re-17-17-and-it’s-like-the-KO-year-all-over-again’ segment of the population he is NOT going to shop Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani or Jose Calderon or even T.J. Ford.

Not gonna happen so quit bleating about it.

But what does he have? A bunch of swingmen who are the same guy, a veteran centre who has a year left on a substantial deal and some end-of-the-benchers.

What’s that get you? Nothing on their own but maybe in a package. So, when a deal happens -- and I honestly think there will be one -- look for it to be two-for-one, or three-for-two.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2008/01/of-10-day-guys.html

[ploto]

TJ update:

T.J. Ford is off to the Cleveland Clinic this week to have another respected doctor take another look at his spine, neck and head.

Here’s the question and I have no answer: Do you think he’s looking for someone to confirm that he can play? Or that he shouldn’t?

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2008/01/of-10-day-guys.html

[ploto]

Rasho sighting :D

first half tonight- 12 minutes; 3/4; 1 dunk; 6 points; 3 rebounds; 1 beautiful block; 1 assist

[lefty]

CB 4's girlfriend :dizzy

He has a GF ???!!!!! :wtf

[ploto]

He has a GF ???!!!!! :wtf
Chris Bosh-- yeah, the girl harrassing LeBron was Chris' girlfriend.

[ploto]

Raptors win!

Rasho 20 minutes; 4/5; 2 dunks!! 8 points & 5 rebounds

[lefty]

Chris Bosh-- yeah, the girl harrassing LeBron was Chris' girlfriend.

Well, she's stupid.

Time to dump her, because she's the one who started that 24 fourth quarter points outburst.

[ploto]

http://news.therecord.com/images/assets/386187_3.JPG

[velik_m]

Raptors win!

Rasho 20 minutes; 4/5; 2 dunks!! 8 points & 5 rebounds

Against the sixers...

[lefty]

http://news.therecord.com/images/assets/386187_3.JPG

That will get Angel aroused...

[angel_luv]

Raps beat the Knicks.

[lefty]

Raps beat the Knicks.

Really impressed :lol

[ploto]

At least the Raptors are beating the teams they are supposed to beat.

Rasho played a nice 8 minutes in the first quarter when Andrea had foul trouble, but the Knicks played small most of the game, amd that was all he played.

[angel_luv]

Really impressed :lol


True, but it is better than losing to the Knicks. :)

[ploto]

Jamario Moon in the Dunk Contest


Moon, who is becoming one of the feel-good stories of not only the Raptors but the entire NBA, has been invited to compete in the dunk contest as part of next month's all-star weekend, capping a meteoric rise from minor leaguer to something akin to a cult hero.

And the last time he was so juiced about getting a chance to dunk was 15, 16 years ago.

"My first dunk was actually in the sixth grade," the 27-year-old Moon said yesterday. "I was short, but I could jump. Actually, when you're in the sixth grade, you can't play yet. I was anxious for that next year to come so I could get on the court and try to dunk one. It was a little fingertip dunk, but it still counts...

"Everybody likes to dunk, everybody who has a dream to play in the NBA and can dunk the basketball always wanted to be in the dunk contest," he said. "It's going to be great."

There's a chance Moon will be chosen to play in the rookie-sophomore challenge that's also part of the weekend. He's among the rookie leaders in points (8.2), rebounds (6.4), blocked shots (1.7) and minutes (29.3) per game, which should be enough to get him invited...

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/293532

[jay014]

That will get Angel aroused...
He should be hugging the bear on the Charmin toilet paper packages. Rasho sucks! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h3MGdNold0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h3MGdNold0)

[angel_luv]

I had a dream last night that Rasho hugged me for no apparent reason, which is weird because a few weeks ago, I had a dream that I tried to introduce Rasho to my ( I guess, future) daughter, but he basically ignored me.

[angel_luv]

Raps up one against Portland with 9:40 left in the game.

Dajmo Raps! :cheer

[angel_luv]

get rebounds Toronto please!!!!!!!!

[Armando]

get rebounds Toronto please!!!!!!!!


Why do you care if the Raptors win?

[angel_luv]

Why do you care if the Raptors win?

I guess we've never met. :lol

I'm a Raptors' fan- along with being a Spurs fan.

[Armando]

I guess we've never met. :lol

I'm a Raptors' fan- along with being a Spurs fan.


Ok :lol

[angel_luv]

It is so weird to me- Portland being a team that I would brag about my team beating.

[Armando]

It is so weird to me- Portland being a team that I would brag about my team beating.


Yeah is kind of weird but they are playing well. This road trip will test them though. They have the Nets tomorrow and Boston on Wednesday.

[angel_luv]

Raptors--- don't go soft on me now!

[angel_luv]

Thank you Jose!

[angel_luv]

Yeah is kind of weird but they are playing well. This road trip will test them though. They have the Nets tomorrow and Boston on Wednesday.

Wow. I would like to see the Portland/ Boston game.

[Armando]

Wow. I would like to see the Portland/ Boston game.


NBA League Pass

[angel_luv]

Wow this game is intense!

[angel_luv]

NBA League Pass


I have AT&T Uverse and our cable package does not include league pass- only the most expensive one does. :(

[Armando]

Wow what a shot by Outlaw

[angel_luv]

Oh my gosh-

Moon, Coach is going to kill you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

How do you foul a three point shooter and now the game is tied.

Holy cow! :pctoss

[ploto]

Overtime

[angel_luv]

Over time!

Better than a loss.

But darn it. What a stupid way to end up here !

[angel_luv]

Oh my gosh!

Dajmo Raps!

[angel_luv]

And a three by Calderon!


I love Jose!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

Hmm- Portland announcers saying that Jose's foot was on the line if they would re look at first replay.

If the refs had to mess up on a call, I am glad it was on that one.

[Armando]

Damn once again a 3 by Portland.

[angel_luv]

Noooooooooooo!

You have got to be kidding me!

What a game!!!!!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

Ploto- are you getting to watch this?

[angel_luv]

Hey if Derek can score in 0.4. ...

[ploto]

To think- the Raptors could have had Brandon Roy :bang :bang

[angel_luv]

Good gravy.

My room mate is not a basketball fan. She will not understand why are shopping trip is being delayed yet again.

Luckily, I am also editing an article so that is a reason she can comprehend. :lol

[ploto]

Ploto- are you getting to watch this?
Yep-- double overtime- and cutting into my attempt to watch football

[angel_luv]

To think- the Raptors could have had Brandon Roy :bang :bang



Who did we get instead- Bargnani, right?

[angel_luv]

Yep-- double overtime- and cutting into my attempt to watch football


You're awesome. :lol

[ploto]

Missed the Chargers touchdown

[angel_luv]

Bosh is a beast! :)