Toronto Raptors 2007-2008 edition [Archive]

ploto

10-01-2007, 09:25 AM

Head coach Sam Mitchell expects a heated training camp this week with two starting spots wide open.

The big fight will be at the centre position. Last year's starter, the veteran Rasho Nesterovic, was replaced in the first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Nets by rookie Andrea Bargnani. Now it will be up to the 21-year-old Bargnani to out-perform the 10-year veteran Nesterovic this pre-season.

The Raptors are hoping that Bargnani earns the spot, as it will show that his game has improved from last year.

"I'm going to give (Bargnani) every opportunity, again based on what he did in the playoffs," Mitchell said yesterday. "But, if he's going to start at that position, he's got to rebound. That's part of that position."

The 7-foot Bargnani averaged 11.6 points but his 3.9 rebounds were not particularly impressive for a player of his size and athleticism.

As for Nesterovic, the Slovenian has said that he is fine with the prospect of having to fight to hold on to his starting job, and Mitchell is thankful for that.

"All I know is, if you're pouting, then you really don't have a chance," the coach said, adding that the players should be pleased that there are starting jobs open at certain positions, although T.J. Ford (point guard), Anthony Parker (shooting guard) and Chris Bosh (power forward) are locks to start.

"If anything they should be: 'Hey, coach has an open mind.' So they should be pleased," Mitchell said.

"Those jobs are going to be determined through the scrimmages and how you play."

The battle at small forward should be interesting, although newcomer Jason Kapono is expected to emerge as the starter.

If Kapono falters, another newcomer, Carlos Delfino, could emerge, or could second-year NBAer Jorge Garbajosa, who started 60 games for the Raptors at the small forward or power forward last year.

Garbajosa, however, is coming off a serious leg injury.

Mitchell said that the battle for minutes at camp in the pre-season should lead to some tension on the court.

"But that's good tension," the coach said. "Right now it's too early to even try to contemplate who is going to start at what position. And it may come down to that decision not being made until a week before opening night (Oct.31)."

Raptors Centre (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/01/4540364-sun.html)

Chris Childs

10-01-2007, 12:12 PM

No one gives a damn about the cRaptors

ata

10-01-2007, 02:06 PM

^Please, do speak for yourself. Nobody forces you to click on the link.

BTW: Thanks for updates, Ploto

Hemotivo

10-01-2007, 02:59 PM

Can someone post the roster?

resistanze

10-01-2007, 04:13 PM

No one gives a damn about the cRaptors

With 10.7 seconds left in the game, and the Raptors down 85–82 with possession of the ball, Chris Childs raced down the court and shot a three-pointer that missed badly, apparently trying to draw a foul on the play,[30] instead of passing to a wide-open Dell Curry. In a post-game locker room interview, Childs repeatedly insisted that the Raptors had been down four points, not three.

In 2002, Childs also made the news when he was robbed at gunpoint in an incident at a Manhattan nightclub owned by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. He allegedly lost over $30,000 in jewelery and cash.
...smh

angel_luv

10-01-2007, 05:57 PM

I am so excited about the start of the season.

I cannot wait to see the team play- both the familiar faces and the new additions.

Great pics, Ploto! :)

angel_luv

10-01-2007, 06:16 PM

Mike Ulmer Goes One on One With Jason Kapono

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/kaponoulmer_092707.html

ploto

10-02-2007, 01:39 AM

I am so excited about the start of the season.

I cannot wait to see the team play- both the familiar faces and the new additions.

All times Eastern:

NBA TV
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics
6-Oct
2:30 P.M.

Real Madrid vs. Toronto Raptors
11-Oct
3:30 P.M.

ESPN-2
Lottomatica Virtus vs. Toronto Raptors
7-Oct
12:30 P.M.

Kamnik

10-02-2007, 06:17 AM

No one gives a damn about the cRaptors

everyone cares about them more than NY knicks who are a joke team

angel_luv

10-02-2007, 09:32 AM

All times Eastern:

NBA TV
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics
6-Oct
2:30 P.M.

Real Madrid vs. Toronto Raptors
11-Oct
3:30 P.M.

ESPN-2
Lottomatica Virtus vs. Toronto Raptors
7-Oct
12:30 P.M.

hvala! I'll ask a friend to tape the ESPN 2 one for me. :)

Bruno

10-02-2007, 02:22 PM

Spurs fans should root against Raptors this year given that Spurs have their 2nd round pick.
Go whoever plays against Toronto. :elephant

ploto

10-03-2007, 10:07 AM

VENICE, ITALY -- The least likely member of the Toronto Raptors to be standing among the plentiful and overzealous pigeons in Piazza San Marco may be Juan Dixon.

The shooting guard from Baltimore is one of the team's most stylish and fastidious dressers, yet there he was posing for a picture with his equally well-turned-out wife, Robyn, laughing and being laughed at as the birds flapped and hopped and flew around looking for something to eat.

Dixon had company. Raptors teammate Kris Humphries bought some seed and found himself fighting for position with perhaps a dozen of the big birds. Toronto newcomer Jason Kapono got a similar result without the feed. Leading him to wonder, "Do I smell like food or something?"

Not all the Raptors took part.

"Not me, man, them birds are dirty," Chris Bosh sniffed. But that didn't stop him from howling with delight as he watched his teammates make like everyday tourists in the ancient city, only way taller.

"This is something totally different," said Dixon, who, like many of his American teammates, had never been to Europe. "Coming to Italy and seeing Venice with my wife, it's something I never expected."

It's not as if the Raptors are seeing all the sights during their two-week European training camp. Yesterday was the first day the team didn't have an evening practice, so most of the squad took advantage of a side trip to Venice and a team dinner that night.

It's almost routine to consider professional athletes as perhaps falling short when it comes to life experiences others take for granted, or at least might wish to have.

But as you canvass the various Raptors about places they've been and things they've done, it becomes clear: For the most part, they haven't had time to do much outside basketball because they've been too busy travelling, just not on vacation.

Not surprisingly the only no-shows for the team outing were from the Raptors' European contingent: Rasho Nesterovic of Slovenia, Andrea Bargnani of Italy and Jorge Garbajosa of Spain.

They've already been everywhere.

"We travelled a lot when we were younger," said Nesterovic, whose hometown of Ljubljana is about a 90-minute drive from Treviso, Italy, where the Raptors have been training.

"Mostly in Italy. I was in Verona, Padua, Florence. Most of the time there would be a tour or something. And I travelled with my parents also.

"Americans like to stay home, but if you want to learn something, you can learn things by travelling more than you can learn in books. You can learn about cultures, lifestyles."

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/8b/fullj.getty-77040751rb007_venicetrip.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/d8/fullj.getty-77040751rb009_venicetrip.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/92/fullj.getty-77040751ge038_jpg.jpg

ploto

10-03-2007, 10:16 AM

Lots of pictures from training camp are HERE (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/tor/photos?pg=1&cap=0)

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/79/fullj.getty-77040751rb003_practice7.jpg

angel_luv

10-03-2007, 02:17 PM

I like the pigeon pictures.

The pigeons in Trafalgar Square in London, England are friendly that way too.

angel_luv

10-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Lots of pictures from training camp are HERE (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/tor/photos?pg=1&cap=0)

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/79/fullj.getty-77040751rb003_practice7.jpg

:lol
They're silly.

ploto

10-03-2007, 03:03 PM

Doug Smith's chat from Italy:

Q: Hey Doug. I read all our your columns and you have great insight (even though I don't agree with you on everything).

Now that you've been seeing the team practices in Italy, who is looking good for the Raps? Any surprises?

I have a feeling that Delfino might have a greater role than many think. He's much better then he's shown on the Pistons.

Shomit Ghosh, New York

A: It's really too early to tell; I know that's a cop out and all but it's been five practices and two scrimmages only.

The people I talk to and trust say Rasho's been the biggest surprise right now, in great shape and playing well and Jamario Moon isn't up to speed and hasn't shown his true game yet.

Q: Hi Doug. Love the column.

A lot is being assumed about Andrea ostensibly becoming the new full-time centre. Given this will probably be the case - and perhaps rightly so - my question is this: How would you describe the relationship between Rasho and Andrea, and how is Rasho as a mentor and teacher? Will he play a significant role in Bargniani becoming a better post-up player, rebounder, etc.?

Marc Silver, Newmarket

A: Rasho's what, about a hundred years old and has played in a million games? He's being a huge help to Bargnani, working with him, Bosh, Baston and Humphries every day after practice and with him during drills on such things as footwork offensively and how to hold a guy off in the block.

Rasho's a pro; he'll help a teammate get better any way he can.

Much more: Raptors Q & A (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/263194)

ploto

10-03-2007, 03:16 PM

Intra-squad scrimmage today-- White beat Black (105-96) but considering the make-up of the teams it was closer than one would think.

White: Bosh, Ford, Parker, Kapono, Bargnani, Garbajosa, Moon, Martin

Black: Rasho, Calderon, Delfino, Graham, Humphries, Jackson, Baston

First quarter: 26-23 White

It looks like Nesterovic isn’t taking losing his starting job without a fight: He starts four-of-four by my count while being guarded by Bargnani.

From the Deep (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball)

angel_luv

10-04-2007, 10:43 AM

Good for Sho.

Nice to hear his momentum from the E.C. has carried over to this season. I knew it would though.

ploto

10-04-2007, 09:02 PM

Raptors in Rome- reception at the home of the Canadian Ambassador.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071004/capt.2ccc51b4a8d9419d9e7def9bbc3e90f2.italy_nba_ba sketball_raptors_rom120.jpg

angel_luv

10-04-2007, 10:17 PM

awwwwwwwww. :)

JUUOT

10-05-2007, 09:18 AM

A friend and I are organizing a free dial-in conference call to talk about the raptors summer and the upcoming season.

when: sunday october 7th at 6PM eatsern

The buzz is growing up-here in Canada about the raptors and they should be so EXCITING to watch this year!!!

I know a few of you are interested now that rasho is there so do not hesitate to join the fun. I hope to not be the only spurs/raptors fan so we can talk about the champion a bit too ;-)

We used facebook to organize the call so you can go join from there if you have a facebook account
http://apps.facebook.com/freeconference/conf/show/335

If you don't have a facebook account you can call-in too. Just PM me your email address and i will get you the info.

Go raptors!

ploto

10-05-2007, 09:54 AM

Obviously no surprise.

In his hometown of Rome the Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have exercised the third year team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of forward Andrea Bargnani.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the office of Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome. The Raptors are in Rome to face the Boston Celtics and Virtus Lottomatica Roma as part of NBA Europe Live. 2007.

"Andrea has more than lived up to the enormous expectations thrust on him last season as the top pick of the draft," said Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

Exercising the option while in Andrea's hometown of Rome could not be more fitting."

The Rome native is now guaranteed through the 2008-09 season. The team retains a fourth year option for the 2009-10 season. In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on Bargnani. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal was not disclosed.

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/bargnani_100507.html

angel_luv

10-05-2007, 04:54 PM

Congrats AB :)

ploto

10-06-2007, 08:55 AM

Game day. Let's get this new season under way...

ploto

10-06-2007, 09:33 AM

Nesterovic not rocking the boat
Slovenian giant knows he could get bumped to bench but is still helping young rival Bargnani

ROME–Hidden behind a façade of calm burns an ego that tells Rasho Nesterovic not to go gently, to fight for what he believes he still is and what he has been.

The veteran Raptors centre knows he'll eventually cede his starting role to the emerging Andrea Bargnani, as early as the first game of this season. As an unselfish player he realizes that inevitability and what it will do to improve the team.

Publicly, he says he's accepting of that role – "whatever Sam (Mitchell) thinks I can help the team with, I'm happy with," he said – as a competitor he knows he has more to offer. It's not his style to make waves or be disappointed.

"Every player has his ego and pride and tries to prove to everybody else that he can still play or that he can play," the 31-year-old Nesterovic said. "I definitely want to prove that I'm still capable of playing at a high level."

But where another player might show that desire with public ministrations, Nesterovic calmly gets himself going.

"Everybody shows it in a different way, it's personal," he said of the ego most athletes have to have. "Not everybody shows it by screaming, yelling, getting frustrated.

"Me? I don't know how (it manifests itself). Probably just keeping to myself, concentrating on getting better, prove it quietly, not by words, but by actions."

The role for the 7-footer this season will be as much teacher as teammate. Bargnani is a 21-year-old kid who doesn't have the experience or the savvy to play centre in the NBA immediately and successfully, and everyone knows it.

But every day in practice, and in big-man sessions that follow the daily workouts, Nesterovic is showing his understudy the tricks of the trade. And over the course of his nine-year career that spans more than 600 regular season games, Nesterovic has learned a few.

"They push each other in practice," said Chris Bosh, who gets a close look at the instructional session each day. "Most of the time Andrea wants to guard him, he learns a lot of moves in the low post from him. As far as footwork and ball-handling are concerned, he can learn a lot from Rasho.

"Rasho's an old, crafty vet."

One who's in pretty good shape, too. Nesterovic arrived in camp in far better shape than a year ago. He's shed about 10 pounds and checks in at about 268.

"I'm trying to keep the weight down," he said. "I'm not that young any more, so it's tougher and tougher every day now."

He'll be able to stay in top form if he continues to play against Bargnani every day in practice. Last year's rookie is learning the tricks of post play. He already has displayed a solid outside game, so Nesterovic will be faced with a difficult scrimmage assignment. And an assignment he thinks other teams will find too much. Eventually.

"Playing here, he was mostly outside, shooting threes, playing more like a perimeter guy," Nesterovic said of the European-trained Bargnani. "He just needs time to adjust, it's not just in one year, or two; it's three years or four. Once he gets adjusted he's going to be an unbelievable player, tough to guard.

"They are going to have to double-team him; think about double teaming him and Chris?"

Bargnani is proving to be a dutiful student. By the time the prying eyes of the media are allowed to view Raptors practices, much of the work is done, but the big-man sessions go on for about half an hour afterwards with Bargnani, Nesterovic, Bosh, Kris Humphries and Maceo Baston wrestling in the post.

"Rasho knows everything," said Bargnani. "On defence, he never does mistakes, he can help me a lot on the court. He knows where to go on the court always."

Nesterovic not rocking the boat (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/263799)

ploto

10-06-2007, 09:41 AM

Great photo

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/44/fullj.getty-77040747jg002_raptors_rome.jpg

angel_luv

10-06-2007, 09:47 AM

Love the photo.

Rasho knows everything," said Bargnani. "On defence, he never does mistakes, he can help me a lot on the court. He knows where to go on the court always."

That is awesome! True too. :)

ChumpDumper

10-06-2007, 01:32 PM

No game blog?

ChumpDumper

10-06-2007, 02:04 PM

Defense is pretty awful for both teams -- even for a preseason game.

Raptors are not rotating at all.

Celts are playing off the Raptors' shooters like they were a bunch of Anthony Carters.

themvp

10-06-2007, 02:04 PM

Rasho with long 2pt jumper.

resistanze

10-06-2007, 02:19 PM

I didn't even know it was on now, crap.

Pero

10-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Rasho with long 2pt jumper.

Where are you watching?

themvp

10-06-2007, 02:33 PM

SopCast

Pero

10-06-2007, 02:41 PM

Which channel?

Hemotivo

10-06-2007, 02:52 PM

channel?

themvp

10-06-2007, 02:54 PM

Channel - 23459

sendman

10-06-2007, 02:55 PM

And that Andrea Bargnani dude was a no.1 pick!
I'm not sure if he's even a first round pick.

But than again, it's not my money he's milking.

Pero

10-06-2007, 03:00 PM

Channel - 23459

I can`t find this one. What`s the name?

Hemotivo

10-06-2007, 03:01 PM

Channel - 23459
gracias

Pero

10-06-2007, 03:10 PM

gracias

You Found it?

ChumpDumper

10-06-2007, 03:41 PM

I can't believe that Doc is playing like his non-superstar rotation is set in stone.

Jamario Moon is making a good impression.

ChumpDumper

10-06-2007, 04:15 PM

Well, this game reinforced my gut feeling that the east is going to belong to the Pistons and Nets this season.

themvp

10-06-2007, 04:18 PM

Well, this game reinforced my gut feeling that the east is going to belong to the Pistons and Nets this season.

True, true.

The_Game

10-06-2007, 05:41 PM

Well, this game reinforced my gut feeling that the east is going to belong to the Pistons and Nets this season.

you judge that on one pre-season game? and the NETS? THE NETS? they will be lucky to win one round. Reailty is they are garbage. Pistons will be good but as always will play like crap when it matters and lose when they aren't suppose to.

ChumpDumper

10-06-2007, 05:46 PM

The Nets.

IMO, no other eastern playoff team addressed their offseason needs as well as the Nets. They still could use some outside shooting, but they are pretty good on paper. It's all conjecture at this point anyway. It never takes all that much to win the east, and this season will be no exception.

lefty

10-06-2007, 06:28 PM

The only reason the Raptors lost to the Nets is because NJ has more playoff experience.

ploto

10-06-2007, 07:26 PM

Raptors rotations are not set and I still think they will change. I still do not like Andrea and Jason starting together-- one or the other, but not both. The starting line up is too much offense and not enough defense and the bench is too much defense and not enough offense. I thought the team looked the best overall-- and definitely defensively-- in the latter part of the third quarter when Rasho and Delfino played with the three set starters.

Kamnik

10-06-2007, 08:01 PM

I will post this here as most people that would be interested in it read this topic. Not worthy of a thread.

An article about Boki:

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qst...FlZUVFeXk2

velik_m

10-07-2007, 12:54 AM

Kamnik

10-07-2007, 06:55 AM

Crappy defense from both teams, i didn't like the newcomers much. The offense of raptors is 3 pointers and long jumpers and that's it. Pretty sad actually. Garnett was abusing andrea.

If this is true, they are on a collision course to be eliminated from the playoffs by NJ again.

They wont have succes without a decent low post scorer. Yeah Bosh is good and all... but we seen how he was stopped in the playoffs. At times he was just disabled offensively.

Chris Bosh is much like TD. Minus great defence, minus low post scoring. Wait... im describing Nowitzki now. :smokin

angel_luv

10-07-2007, 08:19 AM

I wish I had seen the game.

Too bad our guys lost.

I'm confident the team will get it together. Next win is ours. :)

resistanze

10-07-2007, 09:42 AM

Kamnik

10-07-2007, 10:20 AM

Like I said after this season, I'd be impressed if the Raptors get the 7th/8th seed this year. I not really fond of the team's composition and they have no salary cap wiggle room. We'll see how things play out over the few months.

I think they will have a good regular season.
(good motivation, good chemistry etc.)

Betwen 1 to 5th seed.

But coming playoff time... i see 3 or 4 teams being better than them when everyone plays 100%.

angel_luv

10-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Like I said after this season, I'd be impressed if the Raptors get the 7th/8th seed this year. I not really fond of the team's composition and they have no salary cap wiggle room. We'll see how things play out over the few months.

I expect this team to exceed all the success of last year's squad.
To the second round and beyond we go. :)

Kamnik

10-07-2007, 01:49 PM

Can someone tell how Erazem Lorbek played?

Any chance of making it to the NBA?
(he was drafted by Pacers few years ago)

velik_m

10-07-2007, 02:02 PM

Can someone tell how Erazem Lorbek played?

so, so

Any chance of making it to the NBA?
(he was drafted by Pacers few years ago)

Doubtfull, but stranger things have happened.

Raptors win, Rasho DNP.

ploto

10-07-2007, 04:43 PM

Erazem has a nice shooting stroke. Rasho got the day off.

Raptors with some final sight-seeing and a tour of the Vatican, then it's off to Spain!

ChumpDumper

10-08-2007, 03:00 AM

Do the Nets still own the rights to Christian Drejer? Looks like he had a pretty good line.

ploto

10-08-2007, 08:43 AM

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends in Canada.

http://www.canadafirst.net/our_heritage/thanksgiving/title.jpg

angel_luv

10-08-2007, 08:52 AM

Yea- the Raps won! :)

ploto

10-10-2007, 04:38 PM

Some pictures from Spain:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20071009/i/r2501218149.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/8a/fullj.getty-77040700jm017_europe_madrid.jpg

ploto

10-10-2007, 04:41 PM

Few recent stories:

Bosh has sore knee

Toronto Raptors all-star forward Chris Bosh missed practice in Madrid yesterday and will likely sit out tomorrow's exhibition game against Real Madrid because of unspecified soreness and a slight swelling on his left knee.

He apparently tweaked it during a practice in Treviso, Italy, last week. He played both of the Raptors' exhibition games in Rome on the weekend, though he was wearing a knee brace. Last December, Bosh missed 12 games because of problems with his right knee...
Bosh's knee (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071010.RAPTORSSIDE10/TPStory/Sports)

Delfino quiet but productive

Carlos Delfino goes through life with an unassuming calm; he isn't going to scream and yell, wave his arms and gesticulate and his eyes won't bug out with enthusiasm.

It's taken Sam Mitchell a couple of weeks to figure that out about his new small forward and that's been the biggest and most difficult obstacle to overcome between coach and player.

"It's just taken me time learning Carlos's personality," Mitchell said yesterday. "He's a laid-back guy, and I like more of (fire). But that's just me. I don't want him to change who he is. He goes out on the floor and he's productive.

"The most difficult thing for any coach is just figuring out everybody's personality and making sure I don't make the wrong judgment on a guy because his demeanour may be one way and his play is another way. That's the thing I have to make sure of."

Delfino is laid-back like no other Raptor, like few other pro athletes, in fact. His facial expression seldom changes, his voice is barely more audible than a whisper. It is who he is and he can't – and won't – change.

"I am a quiet guy," he said. "Sometimes I look like I'm out, but I'm in, that's my personality, that's how I do things. (But) I feel good, I feel good with (Mitchell) and I think we're comfortable working with each other. That's very positive. It's good to know that after two weeks you are able to understand each other and it's time to go on."

Delfino quiet (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/265222)

Garbajosa, Calderon share special bond

..."We met when I was 13 years old," Calderon says. "I signed for Tau [Spanish powerhouse club Tau Vittoria]. He signed the year before. He was 16 or 17 at that time. We were in the same situation, without our parents in another city, and I'm like 700 kilometres from home and he's from Madrid, 400 kilometres from home, and we have to live with other guys the same age.

"There were seven or eight guys like us and we kind of went together everywhere," he says.

Calderon was a member of that talented group of Spanish players, a group that signalled the country's international triumphs with age-group successes all the way through. Garbajosa was the big brother; a tradesman in a group of basketball artists.

That they bonded is proof that being the same isn't the same as being friends.

At 6 foot 9 inches and 245 pounds, with his standard stubble ("I shave once a month, if it's necessary or not") and shaggy hair, Garbajosa affects a craggy, immovable wall. He's playing this season on a leg that's technically still broken. He's been advised by doctors to have surgery, but has advised the doctors that there will be no surgery. His pain threshold is legendary.

At 6 foot 3 and 200 pounds, with his neatly trimmed hair, fine features and ritualistic and energetic encouragement of teammates, fans, coaches, referees and everything else on the basketball court, Calderon, 26, resembles a friendly, earnest, puppy. A veritable poet compared with Garbajosa, 29, the stoic.

But Garbajosa says, without qualification or irony, that Calderon is his "basketball soulmate."...

Last night, Calderon was the host of a team dinner to introduce all of his friends to the wonders of Spanish cuisine, with Garbajosa riding shotgun.

They've already shown their teammates much, much more.
Garbajosa & Calderon (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071010.RAPTORS10/TPStory/Sports)

angel_luv

10-10-2007, 09:09 PM

Awesome! hvala Ploto. :)

ploto

10-11-2007, 07:08 AM

Raptors one big happy family

..."Why do you all find it so difficult (to accept) that there are people who play professional sports who can set aside their ego for the betterment of each other, and the team, and not worry about it?" he said. "You guys are always trying to (invent) a rivalry between my point guards (T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon). Well, we went out for dinner (Tuesday) night and two guys who are sitting together are T.J. and Jose. And we didn't have a seating chart. They sat together because they like each other.

"Why would you believe different?" he continued. "These guys get along great. And it's not fake, it's not manufactured, it's not nothing we try to set up. These guys organize outings on their own. I stay out of it."

There have long been suggestions that the Raptors are a close-knit group, particularly by NBA standards, where individuality off the court seems to be the way to go. In fact, two-time NBA all-star Chris Bosh said this is the closest team he has been on.

"By far," he said. "It's a funny thing. I don't know when this started. It just sort of happened. It's like, you have dinner one time, you hang out one time, and it's fun, and you want to do it again."

The Raptors are likely the most diverse team in the NBA, with 11 Americans, two Spaniards, an Italian, an Argentine and a Slovenian, not to mention an almost all-Canadian support staff.

But, for whatever reason, it has worked.

The dinner Mitchell alluded to was organized by Calderon and, according to reliable sources, a good time was had by all. The players all tried Spanish food and nobody cut out early. One attendee said that, all evening, the players waved their napkins in the air, and chanted "Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose..." You know the one.

"These guys genuinely like being around each other," said Mitchell, adding that he has done very little in the way of forcing his players to bond.

"You try to do that as a coach if it feels like the guys are trying to disconnect from each other," Mitchell said. "But we don't have guys who get on the bus with headphones on and, soon as everybody gets on the bus, they pull out their cell phone.

"We rise together, we fall together," he said. "That's the only way I know. I believe it in the deepest part of my soul, and I'll always feel that way." ...
one happy family (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/11/4566814-sun.html)

Euraptour

After watching them swarm the Toronto players a day earlier, crowding them a bit too much, Raptors officials got Calderon to stand behind a lectern for yesterday's session.

"El Presidente is at the podium," Darrick Martin announced to all before Calderon addressed the group...

After a typical game-day routine – morning shootaround, a meal and perhaps an afternoon nap before taking on Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid – the Raptors will get ready to make their way home.

There will be a team meal following tonight's game against Real Madrid but no official functions. The team's aircraft leaves Spain for Toronto just after noon local time tomorrow.
Euraptour (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/265546)

Bosh to Sit

Chris Bosh will not play in the Toronto Raptors' exhibition game against Real Madrid tonight. The all-star missed his second successive day of practice with an unspecified problem with his left knee.

"I'm sitting out right now until I heal 100 per cent and make sure I'm right for the season," Bosh said.

Bosh said his knee has been bothering him for about a week...
Bosh to Sit (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071011.RAPTORSSIDE11/TPStory/Sports)

Warlord23

10-11-2007, 08:47 AM

Kapono investment not so smart? (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/08/4559115-sun.html)

ROME -- Welcome to the NBA, where a $24-million US player isn't necessarily expected to be a starter.

Which is what the Raptors may have in Jason Kapono.

Raptors coach Sam Mitchell went on the defensive yesterday when asked if he would be disappointed if Kapono, the club's most expensive, most heralded, off-season signing, did not turn out to be a regular starter at the small forward position -- the lone starting spot still up for grabs.

Mitchell has said the last couple of days that Kapono may not be his starter at the three spot, that the job may go to another newcomer, Carlos Delfino, or the wildly inconsistent Joey Graham, or even to Jorge Garbajosa, whom Mitchell would prefer to play at power forward.

To the uninitiated, dropping close to $24 million (in mid-level exception money) over four years on a player who may not crack the starting lineup on a consistent basis would seem to be a disappointment, perhaps even a miscalculation.

But Mitchell, who started Delfino against Virtus Roma at PalaLottomatica last night after starting Kapono the night before against the Boston Celtics, insisted that isn't necessarily so.

"What? Is the mid-level that much money?" the coach said. "Guys, getting a paycheque in this league all depends on when you become a free agent. Period.

"It has nothing to do ... there's guys sitting on a bench (in the NBA) who don't know how to play, who make a lot of money.

"What are you going to say about Theo Ratliff, who's been making $11, $12, $13 million the last three to four years, sitting behind the bench in a suit?" the coach continued. "That's just how it is. It has nothing to do with anything but timing.

"When it's your time and you have a good year, you get compensated."

That's certainly the case with Kapono, who was awarded his contract after averaging a career-high 10.9 points while leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (51%) for the Miami Heat.

Mitchell waved aside suggestions that Kapono, a 31st pick overall in 2003, has been a disappointment in camp. Kapono played 31 minutes off the bench last night and scored 15 points, shooting 4-for-11 from the field.

"We know that Jason is going to help us in a lot of other ways, whether he starts or comes off the bench," Mitchell continued. "There's no pressure for us to feel like we have to start (him)."

That pressure may come later.

In the meantime, given that the four other starters (Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, T.J. Ford and Anthony Parker) provide ample offence, Mitchell said he expects whomever starts at small forward to contribute much more than just points, and that may play into hands of Delfino or the athletic Graham.

"Defence, rebounding, energy, give us a little toughness. That's what we're looking for," Mitchell said.

At the start of the Raptors' training camp in Treviso, Italy last week, Mitchell suggested that there were two starting spots open -- small forward and centre.

But that appears no longer the deal. Sophomore Bargnani will be the starting centre come hell, high water, or injury, and the veteran Rasho Nesterovic, who started 73 games last year, will be the backup.

Bargnani replaced the ineffective Nesterovic late in the first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Nets last season and that gave the young Italian the inside track to start this year.

A solid training camp, despite numerous distractions being in his home country, has pretty well sealed the deal.

Mitchell started Bargnani for the second consecutive game last night.

Still, Mitchell said that he will continue to tinker over the next five pre-season games.

"That (three spot) was the biggest question mark and we'll take the entire pre-season, all seven games, to decide who gets it," he said.

And if it isn't Kapono?

Well, what's $24 million?

ploto

10-11-2007, 11:41 AM

He fails to mention that one of the reasons that Jason will probably come off the bench is that they need the SF to off-set the weaknesses in Bargnani's game- Delfino is a better defender and a good rebounder for his position. As long as Andrea starts, it makes more sense to start Delfino and bring Kapono off the bench to play with Rasho. Raptor fans have been saying as much all summer.

angel_luv

10-13-2007, 02:43 PM

Get well soon guys!

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/12/4570066-sun.html

Raps get man-handled
Parker, Garbo hurt in collision

By STEVE BUFFERY, SUN MEDIA

MADRID -- A trip that had been celebrated as being a great success came crashing to a distressing end last night at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid.

The Raptors, wearing their road reds with yellow trim in honour of the host country, were defeated by the Spanish side Real Madrid, 104-103. But even worse than that, two key players, Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa, collided with each other with 31 seconds remaining and had their respective bells rung. Parker stayed down on the court for a minute clutching his head before slowly getting up and being helped to the bench. Parker left the arena holding an ice pack to his head while Garbajosa needed stitches to close a cut on his scalp.

Even without all-star centre Chris Bosh in the lineup, the scare and the loss to a non-NBA club for the second time in franchise history (the Raptors lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv two seasons ago) put a damper on the team's two-week European tour.

The Raptors looked sluggish against the defending Spanish League champions, and were out-rebounded 52-38. There was also little in the way of an organized defence, as Madrid went 14-for-28 from the three- point line. Andrea Bargnani led Toronto scorers with 22 points, but he also had six turnovers and as many fouls.

"They beat us up on the boards (and) they beat us up physically," said Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell. "We haven't settled on our starting lineup yet, and we have to find guys who are going to get in there and do the tough things. We've got guys who can shoot the basketball, we've got guys who can pass the ball, but we've got to find some guys who are going to go in there and do the dirty work."

The loss dropped Toronto to 1-2 on the European trek.

It was a turnover by Madrid's favorite son, Garbajosa, with the Raptors trailing by two with 19 seconds left in the game that sealed the victory for Real Madrid. Juan Dixon made it a two-point game with a finger-roll basket with 3.6 seconds left, but Madrid's Louis Bullock hit two free throws to seal the deal for Real, much to the delight of the sellout crowd of 13,703.

Bosh, the team's leading rebounder, missed last night's game because of a sore left knee, which he "tweaked" over a week ago while the team was in Treviso, Italy training. He has been unable to practice since the club arrived in Madrid this week, although it's not thought to be serious.

"We're going to get him back to Toronto and get him fully evaluated, take another MRI (and) compare it to previous MRIs," said GM Bryan Colangelo. "With only a couple of days left on the trip we didn't want to push anything. Let's just get him rested, let's get the joint calmed down, let's get back and we'll take the necessary steps to find out where we are."

ChumpDumper

10-13-2007, 03:04 PM

Why do you guys keep losing to Euro teams?

It's embarrassing.

Hemotivo

10-13-2007, 03:40 PM

Why do you guys keep losing to Euro teams?

It's embarrassing.
:lol :p:

timvp

10-13-2007, 03:58 PM

Kapono investment not so smart? (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/08/4559115-sun.html)Like I said at the time, the Kapono deal was amazingly stupid. The Raptors panicked and got stuck with a horrible contract. A guy who makes his name hitting threes off of double teams going toward Shaq and Mourning isn't going to be near as valuable with Rasho and Andrea in the middle.

Kapono got more money than Udoka, Posey, Pietrus, Barnes and Patterson ... and all five of those players are better. In fact, now that I think about it, Kapono got about as much money as those five players combined.

:lmao @ the overrated GM that is Bryan Colangelo.

velik_m

10-14-2007, 09:32 AM

Like I said at the time, the Kapono deal was amazingly stupid. The Raptors panicked and got stuck with a horrible contract. A guy who makes his name hitting threes off of double teams going toward Shaq and Mourning isn't going to be near as valuable with Rasho and Andrea in the middle.

Kapono got more money than Udoka, Posey, Pietrus, Barnes and Patterson ... and all five of those players are better. In fact, now that I think about it, Kapono got about as much money as those five players combined.

:lmao @ the overrated GM that is Bryan Colangelo.

I imagine he is meant to feed of double teams on Bosh. Anyway how much are the Spurs paying Barry? Stop trolling douchebag.

On to Raptors - they suck. The offense was better against Real, and will probably improve. But defense? A crime against basketball. They let oponents get as many open threes as they wanted. Slow or non-existant rotation, the whole thing was painful to watch. I know it's just preseason, but they better shape up fast or this is going to be a lottery year.

angel_luv

10-15-2007, 06:46 PM

Amen to the Hallelujah!

Sam to Raps, Get tough, boys

By MIKE GANTER, SUN MEDIA

While Sam Mitchell's search for toughness in his locker room continues, Chris Bosh is trying to find a balance between the need to give his sore left knee the time it requires to heal and the urgency to get back in the lineup and work out the kinks before the regular season begins.

Both the Raptors coach and their star player were upbeat yesterday as the team held its first practice on their home court on the third level of the Air Canada Centre since returning on Friday from a two-week training camp in Italy and Spain.

Bosh was evaluated by team medical personnel on Saturday. The swelling and discomfort in the knee he tweaked during a team scrimmage Oct. 3 in Treviso, Italy, has dissipated significantly during the past several days. While Bosh is intent on getting into a game this week, he will continue to be listed as day to day.

So while Bosh's workout was limited to the weight room yesterday, the rest of the Raptors were put through their paces, cleaning up their half-court offence while Mitchell continued to stress the need for more toughness.

"Toughness for me is not going out and throwing illegal picks or elbows," Mitchell said. "Toughness is standing in there and taking charges, setting a pick even though you know the guy may run through the pick. Putting a body on people, stopping the basketball, those are the things we have to get better at doing."

While Mitchell used the word toughness, Bosh spoke of being more aggressive although the latter acknowledged both are talking about the same thing.

"We just have to be more aggressive, under control, but aggressive," Bosh said. "I think we're passive sometimes, we're not aggressive going to the basket. We have to get those easy points going to the free throw line. We settle a lot.

"We have a lot of nice guys so it's easy to be passive. We have to be aggressive on the boards, rebound with a purpose, run with a purpose and try to get to the basket. We know we can shoot jump shots. What we have to do is do a better job of getting to the hole."

Mitchell said he would also like to use the next 16 days before the Oct. 31 season opener against the New Jersey Nets to make his offence a little less dependent on the pick-and-roll. While the pick-and-roll remains the meat of Mitchell's offence, he envisions adding to it to take some stress off his guards.

"What we are trying to do is be more balanced," Mitchell said.

"We'll still run a lot of pick-and-roll this year but we need some other sets to go to. What happens is it puts so much pressure on T.J. (Ford) and Jose (Calderon) because they have the ball every time.

"We would like to have some sets and execute things well enough to where they can come down and initiate the offence and be a part of it instead of being the initiator, the facilitator and sometimes the finisher."

And that doesn't mean just getting the ball inside to Bosh more frequently.

"Not necessarily more post-up but more movements from our twos and threes," Mitchell said.

"They have be more than just spot-up shooters. We need to get those guys to the free-throw line more."

angel_luv

10-17-2007, 10:18 PM

We won- whoosh! :)

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/preseason07.html

angel_luv

10-17-2007, 10:19 PM

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/quotes101707.html

SAM MITCHELL
Thoughts on team’s performance…
The team has a lot of things to work on, a lot of things. Carlos (Delfino) played hard, he played good defense and Juan (Dixon) played well, except for the reaching in on defense, that’s something we need to work on. We need to clean up our mistakes, but we did a lot better in the forth quarter.

What was the reason for the combination of players at the end of the game?
Well, to get a look at the guys in preseason. I wanted to give Juan a couple of minutes, I wanted to give Carlos a couple of minutes, I wanted to give (Kris) Humphries some minutes. I’ve seen enough of Rasho (Nesterovic) in the preseason and he’s been playing great. (T.J) Ford had 11 assists, played 25 minutes, ran the team, he made one mistake but he did what he was supposed to do. But there was no sense of putting him back in the game.

Kapono
JASON KAPONO
Thoughts on being back home…
It felt like a real home game. It’s good to be back home and back on a good schedule now. We didn’t play all that great but we came out with a win. We were just trying to find our niche, trying to find our rhythm and that’s why we have two more weeks.

Is it easy to gauge where the team is at?
It’s easy to gauge. We watched film, they are good basketball players and they have a good solid team. Our intent is to go out there and play the way we plan on playing throughout the season. We are trying to work on the things we need to work on. Right now we are getting beat on the boards a little bit and we are not really shooting the ball that well. We have time and that’s why we need to practice.

Ford
T.J. FORD
Thoughts on tonight’s game…
It was a pretty interesting game. It went down to the end. I’m pretty sure everybody that was in the building tonight enjoyed it. They are a good ball club, they shot the ball well. It’s still preseason and we still have a lot of things and will look at tape tomorrow. We still have a lot of room for improvement.

What do you take away from this game?
We tried to do a better job of stopping people, not letting too many people to get into a rhythm. I think the biggest key is to continue to try and improve defensively, and we’ll make it tough for teams to score.

Tanoka Beard

Did your team know a lot about the Raptors coming into the game?
Yes we did, a lot of those guys have played in the Euroleague and were good players in Europe over the years. We remembered some of the work they put in over the years and things like that. So I think that we came in expecting to compete strongly.

How is the Basketball in Europe?
The Euroleague I believe is very strong and very comparable to the NBA simply because the teams in Europe are allowed to do a lot more physical contact and things like that. Over here the rules are a little more lenient and seem to protect the offence a little.

Marcus Brown

Talk about your connection with Maurizio Gherardini and Jorge Garbajosa?
Maurizio (Gherardini) is one of the brightest minds in basketball, he really does a great job running the show. He actually signed me in 2001 in Trevisio and also signed Jorge (Garbojosa) and we played our first years together. Jorge and I then reconnected in Unicaja Spain and led them to their first championship in 25 years. Then obviously him bringing Jorge and Anthony Parker here and some of the guys he is real familiar with.

Do you still have thoughts on playing in the NBA?
Well it has been nine years now and in the summertime I do entertain offers, but it is just entertainment. I would love to come back and finish my career here and eventually get into coaching or working with players. You have to have connections and maybe I do with Maurizio.

angel_luv

10-17-2007, 10:22 PM

Sho played 23 minutes and was 6-9 from the field for 12 points. He had eight rebounds plus a steal and a blocked shot.

No T.O.'s or fouls.
:elephant :elephant

http://i21.tinypic.com/96gton.jpg

velik_m

10-17-2007, 11:18 PM

Žalgiris sucks.

Vinnie_Johnson

10-17-2007, 11:18 PM

How is Defino doing?

ploto

10-18-2007, 03:01 PM

Rasho highlights- nice dunk!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0lfn30XOExI

angel_luv

10-19-2007, 10:11 PM

Raptors beat the Bulls!
( Bulls were minus Wallace)
http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/recap_101907.html

(TORONTO CP) -- Andrea Bargnani scored 19 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 92-82 pre-season victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Juan Dixon added 17 points, while Rasho Nesterovic finished with 12, and newcomer Jamario Moon finished with 10, as the Raptors (3-2) played just their second game of this exhibition season against an NBA opponent.

Aaron Gray scored 14 points to top the Bulls (2-2), while Andres Nocioni added 12.

Jamario Moon had 10 points off the bench for the Raptors. (Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Raptors led by as much as 20 points Friday, and took a 71-54 lead into the fourth quarter at the Air Canada Centre. The Bulls rallied in the final frame and a basket by Viktor Khryapa cut Toronto's lead to 87-78 with 2:09 left to play. But a pair of free throws from Darrick Martin, then a three by Dixon with 29 seconds left secured the victory for Toronto.

With only two pre-season games left to gauge his roster, head coach Sam Mitchell rested his starters for much of the night, and gave newcomers Moon and Carlos Delfino significant playing time.

Moon, who's been toiling in the minor leagues for most of his career, most recently with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association, displayed the athleticism he's known for. In a brief burst in the second quarter, Moon, who'd played just 15 minutes in the four previous exhibition games, scored first on a huge alley-oop dunk from Martin then on a driving layup, then went up for a big block on Tyrus Thomas.

Delfino didn't fare as well, finishing with four points, four assists and three points on 1-for-7 shooting.

The Raptors have 16 players in camp and have until the Oct. 29 deadline (6 p.m. ET) to set their roster of 15.

Bargnani looked solid, three of his baskets coming from long range on a 7-for-12 shooting night. The sophomore forward has shot 54 per cent over five pre-season games, up considerably from the 43 per cent he shot in his rookie season.

Raptors all-star forward Chris Bosh sat his third straight pre-season with a nagging left knee injury, while Jorge Garbajosa, who missed the tailend of last season with a devastating ankle injury, dressed but didn't play (Raptors medical staff said he was fine).

Bulls guard Ben Gordon sat out with a sprained ankle, while forward Ben Wallace was listed as inactive.

Bargnani connected on a trio of threes in the first quarter and the Raptors shot 59 per cent in the frame to race out to a 10-point lead. Toronto was up 28-19 heading into the second.

With both teams going to their bench in the second quarter, the Raptors stretched their lead to 17-points with five minutes left on a layup by Moon, and led 47-33 at halftime.

A basket by Dixon with just over four minutes left in the third put Toronto up by 20 and they held on to lead 71-54 with a quarter to go in the game.

NOTES: The Raptors lost to the Boston Celtics in their first pre-season game, and then played three European squads as part of the NBA Europe Live Tour. . . The Raptors wrap up the pre-season with a pair of home games Thursday versus Cleveland, and Friday against Washington. . . Toronto opens the regular-season at home Oct. 31 versus the Philadelphia 76ers.

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/quotes_101907.html

SAM MITCHELL
Were you satisfied with the teams play tonight?
Yeah, when we started winning we played well. I think that everybody who played contributed. We did some of the things we wanted to do defensively and a lot of their guys can play like some of our guys. Our guys knew that Chicago was going to come and play hard, they were going to play one way, and I thought it would be a good test, especially in the preseason.

What is the difference between European basketball and NBA style basketball?
It’s just a different kind of basketball. You know what I mean, we played the game that we had to play.

Andrea (Bargnani) was very consistent in the preseason, what are your thoughts?
He’s just getting better. You know what I mean. We ran a post set play at the beginning of the game. The way we drew it, the way we talked about it in shootaround, we executed it perfectly. He’s just ahead and working it and getting better, we still have to solve that a little bit. And with his shooting ability, we can take our time. And he’s young, he’s not even 22 yet. It’s going to take him some time to continue to grow. You can just tell he’s getting better. That’s the thing, we just keep working with him, on his foot work, his post move. Keep working with him on his total game. He’s going to make mistakes but that’s okay.

Bargnani
ANDREA BARGNANI
Thoughts on the teams progress…
I think the team is getting better because we are getting into shape slowly. We practice very hard so maybe we are a little bit tired which is normal for this time of year.

Coach’s observation on your improvement…
I’m trying to do a good job for him. I’m trying to work a little more on the post game and I am trying to be a little bit more aggressive.

Moon
JAMARIO MOON
Thoughts on getting an opportunity…
I have been waiting for an opportunity for a while. I was a little more calm then I was the first couple of games. This game I settled myself down a little bit and made a couple of shot, I did pretty good.

Skiles
SCOTT SKILES
Nine of your 23 turnovers were from your so-called veterans…
We just didn’t show up tonight in any real shape or form. I thought it was the most unprofessional we’ve looked so far. We were totally disorganized and the effort was poor. Basically everything we did was losing-type basketball which is something we don’t normally do so back to the drawing board.

Any bright spots?
I thought Aaron (Gray) did a nice job again, I thought he was okay. I thought Nocioni (Andres) was okay but right from the beginning of the game we were flat footed. They are a very good offensive team and they shot the ball well, offensively we had a lot of turnovers, we couldn’t get into the lane had multiple mental breakdowns, guys not knowing where they’re supposed to be and when that happens in our league you’re going to get tattooed and that’s what happened to us.

Thomas
TYRUS THOMAS
Thoughts on Andrea Bargnani...
He is a tough assignment you have got to try and stop him from him getting going because he is such a great shooter. He is just a tough assignment, but we have to do it when the regular season comes, so we have to get it done.

What do you take from tonight’s game?
We know exactly what we have to do better in the regular season when it counts. We kind of know what we have to do, so we just come out and get our assignments done and try and get the win next time, when it counts

Thoughts on the game…
The guys came out hitting good shots, we just have to do a better job on our assignments and a better job of getting them (Raptors) to think about their shots. We just have to do a better job.

Noah
JOAKIM NOAH
Thoughts on guarding Andrea Bargnani...
He is a heck of a shooter, he did what he wanted to do out there. That is why he is the number one pick.

Thoughts on adjustment from college to the NBA...
It is tough and it is a learning experience right now. I am trying to get familiar with the plays and stuff like that. I am trying to build confidence and feel very fortunate to be in this situation

angel_luv

10-19-2007, 10:15 PM

http://i23.tinypic.com/rjo9ib.jpg

http://i20.tinypic.com/25ezi8o.jpg

http://i20.tinypic.com/2cifdjd.jpg

http://i20.tinypic.com/10or4nk.jpg

ploto

10-19-2007, 10:55 PM

Rasho only played 13 minutes and shot 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line (actually 2 and-1's), scoring 12 points and blocking 2 shots in that short time. Sam rested alot of the guys.

Link to game in six minutes located here:
http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/preseason07.html
Rasho running the floor at the 2:00 mark. :)

ploto

10-19-2007, 11:02 PM

Everyone's talking about the battle between Andrea Bargnani and Rasho Nesterovic for the starting spot but what caught my attention tonight was the nice three man rotation that's forming with Bargnani, Nesterovic and Chris Bosh. Bosh will gobble up the majority of minutes at power forward but Bargnani can play power forward and centre and should be able to play 30 minutes at a combination of those spots. Add the veteran Nesterovic who can still play 20-25 quality minutes at centre for the Raptors and what once was a battle for minutes at centre now appear to be a nice three-headed monster for the Raptors.
Bulls vs Raptors Blog (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/CourtsideBlog.asp?GAME_ID=20796&LEAGUE_CODE=NBA)

angel_luv

10-19-2007, 11:32 PM

velik_m

10-20-2007, 01:31 AM

How is Defino doing?

Not so hot. Hopefully he can pick it up. The raptors could use some good defensive players.

ploto

10-20-2007, 09:04 AM

Raptor centre Rasho Nesterovic agreed with his coach that after nearly two weeks of non-NBA competition, the tough stretch would give the Raptors a better idea of where they stand with the season's Halloween start fast approaching.

"It's time to get back on track and start getting ready for the real season," he said.

"We'll see where we are (and) what we should work on. There's lots of things we can improve."

Both Nesterovic and forward Jorge Garbajosa said they aren't losing any sleep wondering how Mitchell will utilize them this season.

Both veterans started for the bulk of the 2006-07 campaign, but are expected to be shunted to the second unit.

Nesterovic, who came into camp full of confidence and in excellent shape after a strong Eurobasket tournament for surprising Slovenia, said he won't make a fuss if replaced by emerging sophomore Andrea Bargnani.

"This is a team sport, it's not tennis or an individual sport," he said.

"Whatever is needed for the team to win, you just have to accept it and get ready for your turn."

Though Nesterovic has played well in four pre-season games, averaging 9.7 points, five rebounds and 1.7 blocks per-game, Mitchell said at the start of camp that he would give Bargnani the opportunity to start at centre if he improved his poor rebounding...

Raptors pre-season homestand (http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/10/19/4588631-sun.html)

ploto

10-20-2007, 09:15 AM

Nesterovic got slimmer, so did his role

The Toronto Raptors are constructed under a theory that decrees every player should be an offensive threat and that nobody should be a liability with the ball in his hands.

The misfit is centre Rasho Nesterovic.

Never known for his offence, the slimmed-down Slovenian nevertheless had a terrific European championship this summer, taking his national team to the quarterfinals in what is known as the deepest and most competitive region in international basketball.

Nesterovic averaged 12 points per game, shot 50% from the field, hauled in 7.6 rebounds and led the tournament with nearly two blocked shots per contest. He ranked among the leaders in several statistical categories and said that nine competitive games against topflight talent boosted his confidence heading into his second season with Toronto.

"It definitely helped. It gets you in good shape and you're in game mode," Nesterovic said. "You've been through a lot before the season even starts."

But increased confidence, five less pounds {it's more than that}and a productive summer does not mean Nesterovic's role will not diminish this season. The 7-footer started 73 games last year, but will almost certainly cede that role to sophomore Andrea Bargnani as the Raptors prepare the young Italian for a starring role down the road...

But Nesterovic can still carve out his niche by banging against the bigger bodies in the paint, bodies that will surely outmatch Bargnani in the strength department and could send him to the bench with foul trouble. For a team that looks light on rebounding, Nesterovic also has that route to staying on the floor.

Yesterday, head coach Sam Mitchell said that Nesterovic is best paired in the post with a power forward who can shoot from the outside, namely Chris Bosh or Jorge Garbajosa. It will be rare to see Nesterovic on the floor with Kris Humphries or Bargnani, even if the latter can shoot with the best of the big men, because the team wants him developing the post parts of his game...

"It's a team game. It's not tennis," said Nesterovic, who is down to about 250 pounds and seems to have improved his conditioning. "I'm going to try to use every minute on the court, gain confidence for myself and for the rest of [the Raptors]. Young guys and older guys, everybody has to participate.

"Every night, there is strong competition. There are no games where you can relax because the other team doesn't have good players. You have to play at your highest level every night. The sooner [Bargnani] is able to do that, the sooner he will become a star and a franchise player."

Slimmer Rasho (http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/sports/story.html?id=8073332e-76f4-4631-854b-6b26b2c5c685)

Kamnik

10-20-2007, 10:25 AM

Wow what a nice dunk by Rasho!

I stopped supporting him so much... but this summer he came back as one of my favourite players and with him the Raptors.

Besides Spurs.... im cheering for NJ (Nachbar) and Raps (Rasho) this year

basicly the same as last year

angel_luv

10-20-2007, 10:25 AM

Sho is awesome.

I would take him back here in a heartbeat.

Surprise, surprise I know. :lol

ploto

10-20-2007, 09:12 PM

Good news Angel- more Raptors games on national TV.

ESPN
Jan 4 Detroit at Toronto
Feb 11 SA at Toronto

NBA-TV
Dec 1 Toronto at Washington
Dec 31 Toronto at N.O.
January 15 Toronto at Detroit
March 4 Toronto at Orlando
March 28 Knicks at Toronto

angel_luv

10-21-2007, 06:42 AM

ploto

10-25-2007, 09:51 PM

Not so hot. Hopefully he can pick it up. The raptors could use some good defensive players.
He had a great game against Cleveland tonight, including 9 rebounds.

Johnny_Blaze_47

10-25-2007, 10:02 PM

How the hell did Bargnani lose C eligibility in CBS Sports fantasy leagues?

Oh, well... he'll gain it back by Week 3.

angel_luv

10-26-2007, 03:57 AM

Nice win Raps!

ploto

10-26-2007, 08:21 AM

How the hell did Bargnani lose C eligibility in CBS Sports fantasy leagues?

Oh, well... he'll gain it back by Week 3.
Bosh had been hurt and Rasho had been starting, so I guess that makes him the center and Andrea the PF. But Bosh is back...

Hemotivo

10-26-2007, 08:55 AM

How is Defino doing?
C.Delfino 24min (6-11fg 5-5ft) 9reb 3ast 18pts

Cavaliers 78
Raptors 111

angel_luv

10-26-2007, 10:42 AM

:birthday: A.B. :toast :danceclub

:)

ploto

10-29-2007, 11:05 AM

Rasho Nesterovic is a big man, in every way.

The seven-foot centre will come off the bench after being primarily a starter throughout his nine-year NBA career, and is embracing his new role.

Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell has said that Andrea Bargnani will be the club's starting centre, at least with Chris Bosh in the lineup.

That means that Nesterovic, who started in 73 of the 80 games he played for the Raptors last season, will be regulated to bench duty.

"It's okay," Nesterovic said. "It's probably the point in my career when I can do more from the bench than as a starter. You just have to adjust (to the new role) and give everything you have."

Mitchell replaced Nesterovic, 31, with Bargnani in the final three games of the opening-round playoff series against New Jersey last season and the rookie responded well. That prompted Mitchell to announce that the starting centre job this season was Bargnani's to lose.

Nesterovic knows as well as anyone that the 21-year-old Bargnani has a huge upside as a starter, and said he will do what he can to help his teammate develop his game. But he said the biggest adjustment Bargnani will have to make is being ready to face the opponent's top unit, game in and game out.

Rasho relishing role (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2007/10/29/4614511-sun.html)

velik_m

10-29-2007, 02:10 PM

What was Raptors win-loss with Rasho starting versus Bargnani starting last year?

Slomo

10-29-2007, 02:59 PM

They want him to step into the role. The wet dream right now is Andrea becoming the East's Nowitzki. So starting him makes sense - we'll see how he reacts.

ploto

10-29-2007, 03:11 PM

What was Raptors win-loss with Rasho starting versus Bargnani starting last year?
Andrea only started 2 games during the regular season-- and the 3 during the play-offs (1 of which both Andrea and Rasho started). I would have to go back and research the 2 during the season.

velik_m

10-31-2007, 02:36 AM

They want him to step into the role. The wet dream right now is Andrea becoming the East's Nowitzki. So starting him makes sense - we'll see how he reacts.

Nowitzki doesn't play C. Rasho was brought in to relieve Bosh of having to guard opposing C's - is Bargnani going to do that?

I think the Raptors could improve their last year record with Rasho in the starting block, but it seems they are ready to drop any D in favour of offense. I suspect they will be playing catch up in a lot of games this year.

Anyway, i'm really excited about this season. With Nets going strong (and hopefully injury free) and the new and improved Boston even the race for conference title will be interesting. We'll see what Raptors are really made of this year.

Go Raptors!

ata

10-31-2007, 05:06 AM

Bosh will play as PF with Andrea or Rasho, Andrea will changepositions - C with Bosh, PF with Rasho. If Andrea has improved his D, he might start for most of the games, I still expect that Rasho to start against teams with dominant C (Rockets, Miami...)

MI21

10-31-2007, 06:40 AM

Weird situation for Toronto.

Bargnani is pretty good, and probably deserves to start. He gives them someone who can put up points other than Bosh. But having Bosh and Bargnani starting is a big ask for one of them to defend the really heavy players, and really, you don't want your 2 top offensive players being bruised, battered and tired when they are being relied upon to be your main offensive threats.

I'd probably start Rasho... and give him more minutes against Miami, Houston, Orlando, San Antonio etc...

angel_luv

10-31-2007, 08:27 PM

AB with 20 points 5 rebounds so far. Game has 1:30 left.

Kapono 7 points and 3 rebounds
Delfino 9 points 5 rebounds and an assist

Bosh 16 points 4 rebounds and an assist

And still my personal favorite, Sho with 4 points and 2 rebounds.

angel_luv

10-31-2007, 08:33 PM

Raps win 106- 97 over the 76ers. :clap

Well done all! :)

angel_luv

10-31-2007, 08:35 PM

Ford had 14 points 2 rebounds and 12 assists :wow

Parker finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists

angel_luv

10-31-2007, 08:36 PM

Jose had 13 points a rebound, 4 assists

Solid effort all around!

Graham 4 points 2 rebounds

Humphries 2 points 2 rebounds

Jorge had an assists.

Well played gentlemen! :clap :clap

velik_m

11-01-2007, 03:14 AM

Wow, the Raptors beat one of the worst teams in NBA. :rolleyes

Slomo

11-01-2007, 04:52 AM

Nowitzki doesn't play C. Rasho was brought in to relieve Bosh of having to guard opposing C's - is Bargnani going to do that?

I think the Raptors could improve their last year record with Rasho in the starting block, but it seems they are ready to drop any D in favour of offense. I suspect they will be playing catch up in a lot of games this year.

Anyway, i'm really excited about this season. With Nets going strong (and hopefully injury free) and the new and improved Boston even the race for conference title will be interesting. We'll see what Raptors are really made of this year.

Go Raptors!I was refering more to the importance of Dirk, than his actual playing position. But otherwise I agree with you. Neglecting D is never good.

Bob Loblaw

11-01-2007, 09:05 AM

It was closer than it should have been but at least they got the win. Their next two games will be a big test, NJ and Boston.

angel_luv

11-01-2007, 09:20 AM

Wow, the Raptors beat one of the worst teams in NBA. :rolleyes

Which is better than losing to them.

Come on Velik! :lol

ploto

11-01-2007, 10:51 AM

Wow, the Raptors beat one of the worst teams in NBA. :rolleyes
Philly ended last season very strong.

dallaskd

11-01-2007, 06:17 PM

Toronto got us last night. good game for the raps. i like toronto. i hope they win they can east.

dallaskd

11-01-2007, 06:18 PM

Philly ended last season very strong.

thank you.

ploto

11-01-2007, 08:57 PM

Raptors new intro.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCqLgN4Z27U

angel_luv

11-01-2007, 09:49 PM

Raptors new intro.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCqLgN4Z27U

hvala :) I liked it! :)

velik_m

11-02-2007, 12:37 PM

Boki versus Rasho.

Prediction: Raptors 105 Nets 92

Boki with 20+ game

velik_m

11-02-2007, 12:38 PM

Raptors new intro.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCqLgN4Z27U

meh.

Don't really like the music.

Kobayagi

11-02-2007, 01:09 PM

Boki with 20+ game

Rasho with triple-double

16 pts, 10 rebs, 12 blocks
:drunk

ploto

11-02-2007, 04:04 PM

I just hope Rasho gets to play about 20 minutes and there is no small ball like the first game.

Amuseddaysleeper

11-02-2007, 04:36 PM

the raptors are a joke

take it from someone who lives in toronto

Kobayagi

11-02-2007, 07:34 PM

I see that Rasho has got three blocks in the first half (Carter, Magloire, Nachbar). I'd love to see the clips of those blocks. Especially the one he gave to Boki. :D

resistanze

11-02-2007, 07:39 PM

What the heck is with Bosh and these end-of-quarter interception/half-court baskets? :lmao

Slomo

11-02-2007, 07:49 PM

The second Q was interesting. The Nets went small and the Raptors reacted by going big and they created a 15 point difference.

That's what I like to see when teams go small :)

Kobayagi

11-02-2007, 08:19 PM

where do you watch the game, slomo?

Slomo

11-02-2007, 08:23 PM

sopcast

Kobayagi

11-02-2007, 08:28 PM

Thought so. Thanks.

Raps up by 40. Wtf :o

Tippecanoe

11-02-2007, 10:13 PM

this sunday, you guys are going down!! :smokin

ploto

11-03-2007, 12:44 AM

I see that Rasho has got three blocks in the first half (Carter, Magloire, Nachbar). I'd love to see the clips of those blocks. Especially the one he gave to Boki. :D
First he blocked Vince- who complained. Then he totally stuffed Magloire. Then he swatted one that Boki tried to drive inside for.

Ask and you shall receive:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-fzluuAjav4

Slomo- I agree. It was so nice for once to see a coach keep Rasho in when a team went small and watch him score easily in the post. :)

Also nice to see Delfino playing so well. The defense is really good when he and Rasho come into the game.

T Park

11-03-2007, 01:06 AM

Has Rasho always been 12 in Toronto?

ploto

11-03-2007, 01:55 AM

Has Rasho always been 12 in Toronto?
Yes- Calderon already had 8, so he chose 12 in honor of Marko Milič. Rasho still wears 8 on his national team.

Kobayagi

11-03-2007, 05:20 AM

Wow, thanks Ploto. :)

Hemotivo

11-03-2007, 08:00 AM

nba.com

"watch live"

velik_m

11-03-2007, 10:39 AM

Yes- Calderon already had 8, so he chose 12 in honor of Marko Milič. Rasho still wears 8 on his national team.

Speaking of Milič, he retired from international play today. No more milky way in our national team. :(

angel_luv

11-03-2007, 01:03 PM

Nice win gentlemen! :)

ploto

11-03-2007, 03:22 PM

Speaking of Milič, he retired from international play today. No more milky way in our national team. :(
He is one guy I was hoping might get a chance to play next summer, as he had a legitimate reason for not being able to play this year.

Kobayagi

11-03-2007, 03:26 PM

I think he might "change his mind" if we get to the Olympics ;)

ploto

11-03-2007, 03:35 PM

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/11/03/amd_nets-magloire.jpg
Rasho Nesterovic stuffs a shot by Jamaal Magloire during the second quarter.

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/11/03/amd_nets-nachbar.jpg
Nesterovic again sends away a shot - this time by the Nets' Bostjan Nachbar.

angel_luv

11-03-2007, 04:26 PM

Wow- Boki sporiting a new do, or lack thereof :lol

velik_m

11-04-2007, 03:48 PM

Hm not looking good so far against the celtics.

velik_m

11-04-2007, 04:25 PM

Coach Mitch sucks. Why not use Rasho aka KG-stopper?

picnroll

11-04-2007, 04:42 PM

Toronto's ball movement is piss poor. Don't know if that's because of the Celtics' D or the Raptors' O

resistanze

11-04-2007, 04:52 PM

Damn, Boston looks like ass without KG in the game.

Slomo

11-04-2007, 04:58 PM

The outside shots are killing the Raptors. Seriously what's the FG %?

nkdlunch

11-04-2007, 05:04 PM

This proves Boston is way overrated

resistanze

11-04-2007, 05:06 PM

Tie game, 78-78. Don't double team KG!

resistanze

11-04-2007, 05:09 PM

What an ugly ass iso by Pierce :lol

And WTF Delfino? Call a timeout!

velik_m

11-04-2007, 05:09 PM

overtime

nkdlunch

11-04-2007, 05:09 PM

awesome sunday game. Delfino for 6th man of the year

Typhoon

11-04-2007, 05:10 PM

Nice defense from Delfino, he pretty much shut down Pierce... also he did a good job when he was defending Allen.

ploto

11-04-2007, 05:10 PM

Overtime!

If they would have just used Rasho on KG and there been no double teams on KG, the Raptors could win.

velik_m

11-04-2007, 05:10 PM

If they would use Rasho, they wouldn't need to double KG.

Typhoon

11-04-2007, 05:20 PM

If they would use Rasho, they wouldn't need to double KG.

:lol

velik_m

11-04-2007, 05:20 PM

i'm starting a sam sucks bandwagon.

resistanze

11-04-2007, 05:31 PM

TJ Ford with the LONG ASS 3 :lol

He's been fucking sick the whole year.

NuGGeTs-FaN

11-04-2007, 05:31 PM

TJ Ford is balling tonight

resistanze

11-04-2007, 05:32 PM

:lmao @ the defense on Ray Allen! They left him open!

nkdlunch

11-04-2007, 05:32 PM

oh SHIT!!

gay allen

ploto

11-04-2007, 05:33 PM

I can not believe the stupid Boston feed loses the picture and we miss TJ's 3 and Allen's game winner.

themvp

11-04-2007, 05:33 PM

Ray Ray :lol

ploto

11-04-2007, 05:35 PM

Enjoyable second half and overtime. The Raptors showed some fight this afternoon.

Oh well, over to the football game...

Otaku

11-04-2007, 05:35 PM

I can not believe the stupid Boston feed loses the picture and we miss TJ's 3 and Allen's game winner.

Pathetic

velik_m

11-04-2007, 05:35 PM

Bargnani :td

resistanze

11-04-2007, 05:35 PM

I can not believe the stupid Boston feed loses the picture and we miss TJ's 3 and Allen's game winner.
:lmao Really?? That sucks.

ploto

11-04-2007, 05:36 PM

:lmao Really?? That sucks.
League Pass was showing their feed and they lost the picture-- on TV and online.

angel_luv

11-04-2007, 05:38 PM

I can not believe the stupid Boston feed loses the picture and we miss TJ's 3 and Allen's game winner.

Boo!

ploto

11-04-2007, 05:48 PM

Guess Sam finally brought in Rasho to cover KG on the last play (after sitting the whole second half and overtime) and KG never touched the ball.

picnroll

11-04-2007, 05:56 PM

Bosh was doing a pretty good job on Garnett anyways. Rasho wouldn't have done any better and the Raptors would lose offense and rebounding.

ploto

11-04-2007, 07:47 PM

Bosh was doing a pretty good job on Garnett anyways. Rasho wouldn't have done any better and the Raptors would lose offense and rebounding.
Did you watch this game? Bosh tried to cover KG one on one in the overtime and KG dominated him. I have watched Rasho shut down KG for years on the Spurs.

In this game, KG had 2 points TOTAL when Rasho was covering him.

picnroll

11-04-2007, 08:26 PM

Yeah I watched it. Bosh was doing a pretty good job. In overtime Mitchell tried to play Garnett without a double early or late. That was dumb. Celtics were certainly doubling Bosh.

KG wasn't getting a lot of easy looks on Bosh and KG's line for an overtime game was certainly nothing special. On average Rasho would do no better and he would bring a lot less on offense.

RaptorsFan

11-04-2007, 10:10 PM

Did you watch this game? Bosh tried to cover KG one on one in the overtime and KG dominated him. I have watched Rasho shut down KG for years on the Spurs.

In this game, KG had 2 points TOTAL when Rasho was covering him.

I should ask you the same question. Did you watch this game? Bosh was draped all over KG throughout OT, couldn't have played him better. KG was hitting absurd fadeaway jumpers with Bosh's hand in his face. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to a superstar like Garnett making plays. That was the case here.

ata

11-05-2007, 02:27 AM

It is not a question Rasho or Chris, Bargnani should play less. 9 PTs in 35 min can put Rasho also!

Man, Mitchel is like Pop, he highly praised Rasho's and Garbajosa's game in preseason, now he isn't playing them. Stupid.

Kibic

11-05-2007, 03:32 AM

I don't really see how Rasho and Bargnani compare? I saw them both on EC when they play for their national teams. Rasho was so much better...

This is one funny situation.

ploto

11-05-2007, 10:38 AM

I NEVER proposed Rasho in the game instead of Bosh-- I said Rasho ON KG. I would have substituted Rasho in on defense and Andrea or Kapono in on offense. There were MANY dead balls, free throws, time outs... and Sam could have subbed in Rasho each time on the defensive end like he finally did on the last play. I am not faulting Bosh's effort- he did his best, but he is not as good of a defender on KG as Rasho is because of Rasho's size and experience on KG. Rasho knows how to keep KG from getting the ball where he wants it in the first place. Rasho always gets to KG when they play against each other. Raptors fans have no idea of the years of watching it play out once Rasho went to the Spurs. There are 3 players in the NBA I would ALWAYS put Rasho on-- Yao, Shaq, and KG.

ploto

11-05-2007, 10:42 AM

Kapono haters-- READ THIS:

Riley's Regret

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat were forced into letting Jason Kapono go, reluctantly, because the Raptors threw so much money at him a minute after the midnight period that began free agency.

However, so early in the season, Riley appears to be regretting the move.

''If I had to do it over again, probably we may have invested in Kapono,'' Riley admits. ``Young. A specialist. He can really shoot the ball.''

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/48995/20071105/riley_regretting_letting_kapono_walk/

Tippecanoe

11-06-2007, 08:53 PM

not looking good for the raptors today but they can still come back!

velik_m

11-07-2007, 12:37 AM

Blowout.

ata

11-07-2007, 01:21 AM

No Rasho, no D.
Mitchell will have to learn last year's lesson all over again. And giving up after 1Q is just lame.

ploto

11-07-2007, 08:18 AM

I still have my conerns about the starting line-up being too much O and not enough D and the bench being too much D and not enough O.

angel_luv

11-07-2007, 10:33 AM

Blowout.

And to the Bucks! :nope

Moving on...

Bob Loblaw

11-07-2007, 11:42 AM

That was a pathetic performance last night, I hope they can do better tonight

ploto

11-07-2007, 01:08 PM

That was a pathetic performance last night, I hope they can do better tonight

I do not think that Bosh and Andrea can handle Howard at all.

ata

11-07-2007, 01:46 PM

As far as I remember, Rasho pretty much owned Howard. I hope Mitchell remembers also, or Toronto is toast.

dave

11-07-2007, 07:57 PM

I do not think that Bosh and Andrea can handle Howard at all.
yes but rasho pretty much shut down howard in all of their meetings last year

velik_m

11-08-2007, 01:36 AM

Sam sucks!

angel_luv

11-08-2007, 07:37 AM

Hedo played out of his mind!

He was 8-18 from the field; 3-6 from three point range; 5-6 from the line for 24 points, 15 rebounds ( career high!), 6 assists a steal and a blocked shot!

He killed us!

angel_luv

11-08-2007, 07:40 AM

http://www.nba.com/games/20071107/ORLTOR/recap.html

Magic Top Raptors Behind Turkoglu’s Big Night
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted Nov 7 2007 11:15PM

TORONTO, Nov. 7 (AP) -- Thanks to a newfound focus on toughness and togetherness, the Orlando Magic are off to a perfect start away from home.

Hedo Turkoglu had 24 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Rashard Lewis scored 24 points, and the Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 105-96 on Wednesday night to earn their third straight road victory.

Keith Bogans had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Dwight Howard added 17 points and nine rebounds for Orlando, which won at Washington on Saturday and beat Minnesota on Tuesday.

"Any time you can get road wins is good,'' Orlando guard Jameer Nelson said. "You're always going to be able to protect your home court because you've got your fans around you. When you come up to a hostile environment like Toronto, New York or Minnesota, you've got to stick together. Everybody who's on that bench and everybody on the court has got to stick together.''

One night after he failed to make a field goal for just the second time in his NBA career, Toronto's Chris Bosh scored 26 points, going 6-for-15 from the floor and making all 14 of his free throw attempts. Bosh also had 10 rebounds.

Andrea Bargnani had 16 points for Toronto, while T.J. Ford had 12 points and eight assists. Toronto has lost three straight after winning its opening two games of the season. :(

"We have to do a better job of concentrating on getting to the bucket,'' Bosh said. "We're settling for a lot of jump shots and everybody on the team is falling victim to that.''

A 3-pointer by Bargnani with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter gave Toronto its first lead of the game at 92-91. Orlando responded with eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Lewis and Nelson and a driving layup by Nelson to take a 99-92 edge with 2:23 remaining.

"Last year, when somebody made a big run at the end of the game, we kind of just folded over,'' Howard said. "In the last two games, teams have been making big pushes at the end of the game and we've held our ground. We didn't get mad or frustrated at each other. We went out there and tried to do the best job we can on defense.''

Nelson finished with 10 points and six assists for the Magic, who had all five starters reach double figures in scoring.

"I like the way our team is responding,'' Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Of course, I'd like it better if we'd just win by 15, but I like the way our team is responding. That's the way you're going to have to play to win games on the road in this league. I'm very, very pleased with them right now.''

Orlando wraps up its road trip at New York on Friday.

"We've got one more test coming up Friday,'' Nelson said. "We have to take care of business.''

Howard said the Magic know they need to do better than the 15-26 road record they posted last season.

"In order for us to become a great team and get respect around the league, we've got to win these games on the road,'' Howard said. "We've been doing an awesome job so far of just concentrating. We trying to mature as a team and every game is a stepping stone for us.''

Turkoglu played 45 minutes, including the entire second half, despite a tender ankle. Van Gundy said it was hard to take him out because of foul trouble to Lewis and Howard.

"It was hurting before the game, but I always tell myself when I'm on the court it means I've got enough,'' Turkoglu said. "I didn't want think about it too much, let it get into my head. I just played through it. I know there's going to be a day off tomorrow. I'll get it treated and feel a bit better on Friday.''

Nelson returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game in Minnesota with a slight concussion, the result of an inadvertent elbow to the head during practice on Monday. He was cleared to play Wednesday night after riding an exercise bike during the morning shootaround, and said he felt no ill-effects.

"The doctors did a good job getting me ready to play and being cautious,'' Nelson said. "I appreciate those guys being cautious and just allowing me to get back to being healthy.''

Orlando led 52-47 at the half.

Notes: NBA executive VP of basketball operations Stu Jackson attended the game. ... Toronto activated forward Maceo Baston before the game and placed forward Jamario Moon on the inactive list.

velik_m

11-08-2007, 09:24 AM

What the Raptors need is a good defensive minded C to toughen their interior defense - sadly this kind of players are hard to find.

ploto

11-08-2007, 10:24 AM

Hedo played great! So much for all the people who claim that players suck after they leave the Spurs. Hedo is having a wonderful season.

ploto

11-08-2007, 10:54 AM

I enjoyed Grange's take here:

The best part about covering a game in Milwaukee is the press seating. I was on the baseline on the floor about five feet from the end of the Raptors bench. A few impressions: Rasho Nesterovic acts like a great teammate, which confirms everything I’ve ever heard. Granted he was closest to me, but he really seemed into the game. Not in a scream-and-shout kind of way or a stand-up-and-cheer way – Calderon and Martin lead those categories -- but he watched every play and every time someone did something good he made his own little comment: “Way to go Hump” or “Garbajosa!” But it was all done in a kind of quiet, understated way. As well, the whole time he was on the bench he was wrapped in warm-ups, towels and heating pads. The whole effect reminiscent of watching someone’s Dad watch a football game from his favourite chair with a comforter over him to keep off the chill: intense concentration; long-moments of silence and here and there a bark at the television.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071107.WBwbbasketball20071107140004/WBStory/WBwbbasketball

RaptorsFan

11-08-2007, 02:39 PM

ploto

11-08-2007, 02:49 PM

Sam Mitchell just announced Rasho will be starting in Philly tomorrow night with Bargs coming off the bench. Good move, I think. Rasho should open up the perimeter for Parker and Kapono and won't take any shots away from Bosh like Bargnani was doing. Should do wonders for the spacing for the starting unit. Now Bargnani will be the first option against inferior players on the 2nd unit and should make the bench more lethal.
You beat me!! Just came in here to post that.

I think that there are too many shooters in the starting line-up. Plus, Sam is having a hard time finding mintues for Rasho because he does not match up against bench players-- his value lies in his defense against the starting big men.

Just got out of practice and Mitchell said that he’s going to start Rasho Nesterovic tomorrow night against the Philadelphia 76ers in place of Andrea Bargnani. I’ll have more on this in tomorrow’s paper but Mitchell went out of his way to stress that it’ s more about getting more production out of Rasho than any problems with Andrea. The thinking is Nesterovic will help set the defensive tone and perhaps leave a few more touches for Bosh, Kapono and Parker. Then, when Mitchell goes to his bench, Bargnani can be more of a first option with the second unit and is a better fit than trying to play Nesterovic and Humphries together.

ploto

11-08-2007, 03:31 PM

No question, the Nesterovic for Bargnani switch makes sense, and may even work.

Here's the reason, as least as far as we can discern after a quick scrum with Sam before their flight today:

The offence, particularly in the first quarter, was bogging down. There was no movement, the signature high screen-and-roll was too cluttered with Bargnani and Bosh on the court and this should get them back to where they were last year.

And Bargnani is going to benefit because I bet he's the first sub off the bench, replacing Bosh, and he can come in firing, much like he did last year.

Defensively, it helps, too. Nesterovic was playing out of his mind in the pre-season, defending his own man on the block and helping to direct traffic in the paint like a veteran should. Bosh can now guard power forwards and let Rasho do his stuff under the basket.

The second unit gets better because Bargnani is a far more potent offensive force than any of the bigs -- Rasho, Humphries, Garbajosa -- who had been coming off the bench.

I can see Nesterovic playing six or seven minutes in each of the first and third quarters and ceding the rest of the time to Bargnani and Bosh, which is just a redistribution of what they'd done in the first five games of the year.

Guess you have to give Sam and his staff credit; they saw something wasn't working and are doing something to change it.
http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/

ata

11-08-2007, 04:28 PM

I hope this is true, it should have been done before game against Orlando.

angel_luv

11-08-2007, 07:55 PM

Sam Mitchell just announced Rasho will be starting in Philly tomorrow night with Bargs coming off the bench.

:tu :tu

resistanze

11-09-2007, 09:19 PM

Anthony Parker has been CLUTCH. Damn.

resistanze

11-09-2007, 09:21 PM

And then gives up the 4 point play opportunity :lmao

resistanze

11-09-2007, 09:27 PM

WTF Delfino? Why is he in the game, can't make a fucking FT.

ploto

11-09-2007, 09:47 PM

An ugly end of the game, but a win. Rasho did not play much with Dalembert and Evans in foul trouble, but he did pull down 8 rebounds in 12 minutes!!

icem

11-10-2007, 02:38 AM

raptors stink

ploto

11-10-2007, 01:34 PM

Rasho Nesterovic seems almost embarrassed by the attention his move back into the starting lineup is receiving.

Head coach Sam Mitchell surprised just about everyone on Wednesday when he announced he was returning Nesterovic to the starting five and would bring Andrea Bargnani off the bench.

"I don't know what to say," Nesterovic began. "It's coaches decision. It's nothing against anyone. It's not against Andrea."

But Nesterovic knows he's more comfortable starting than he is coming off the bench.

"Most of my career I have started so I've been trying to adjust as much as possible to coming off the bench. It's two different things. I tried to do it but now I'm starting," he said.

Nesterovic though is not taking the move as a set in stone kind of thing.

"It doesn't mean anything," he said following shootaround yesterday. "It can change the next game. This is for this game and we'll try to do as good a job as we can."

Mitchell said the move was made strictly for defensive purposes.

After a few strong defensive games to start the year, the Raps have put up back-to-back stinkers in losses to Milwaukee and Orlando.

"Milwaukee and Orlando, it was unacceptable," Mitchell said. "We have to play better defence."

Nesterovic doesn't offer the kind of offensive upside starting Bargnani does, but at the same time Bargnani can't give Mitchell what he needs under his own basket the way Nesterovic can.

"It's a bigger body that will help us on the boards and just his experience," Mitchell said.

"The way Rasho played in training camp and pre-season, he's probably not a guy who is built to come off the bench. He's not a (high) energy guy so we'll probably get the most out of Rasho starting the first and third quarters."
http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/11/10/4645238-sun.html

Stabbin' Cabin

11-10-2007, 02:31 PM

Jamario Moon has been taking lessons from Bowen :fro

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ECV0N19xRaA

ploto

11-10-2007, 08:22 PM

Jamario Moon has been taking lessons from Bowen :fro

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ECV0N19xRaA
He's also getting the start tonight!!

resistanze

11-10-2007, 10:11 PM

Wow, Chicago really lives and dies by their perimeter shooting. Tonight they died twice.

And Jamario Moon is a baller, good pickup by the Raptors. Delfino is also scorching hot, I'm amazing by their depth that Garbajosa hardly gets minutes anymore.

ploto

11-10-2007, 10:32 PM

Unbelievable blow out!!

Chicago crowd is chanting KOBE!! KOBE!! KOBE!!

ploto

11-10-2007, 10:41 PM

Nice night for Rasho: 8 points (4/6); 8 rebounds in 21 minutes.

101-71!! Bulls were awful.

resistanze

11-10-2007, 10:57 PM

For you Rasho fans, he was a game-high +35 when in the game :lol

ploto

11-11-2007, 12:15 AM

For you Rasho fans, he was a game-high +35 when in the game :lol
Rasho has been a rebounding beast these 2 starts!! And even had a dunk!

ploto

11-11-2007, 12:17 AM

Joins us as we kickoff the upcoming Raptors season in style!

The exclusive Tip Off Dinner presented by Miller Genuine Draft gives you front row seats to catch your Toronto Raptors in action- off the court- as they juggle the dinner plates and serve your table a fantastic meal.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Maro – 135 Liberty Street (Liberty Village)

Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

$350 per ticket - includes dinner, drinks and a great gift bag.

SOLD OUT! $5,000 for VIP table (10 tickets) - includes all of the above plus a Toronto Raptor player or coach will sit with your guests throughout the night.

angel_luv

11-11-2007, 01:49 PM

I wish I could go to that dinner. Would be so fun!
Instead, I will be at the AT&T Center working in the Terrace Club during the Hannah Montana Concert. Whoo! :lol

Nice win over the Bulls. Way to go Raps! :)

angel_luv

11-11-2007, 01:49 PM

For you Rasho fans, he was a game-high +35 when in the game :lol

I saw that! Awesome! :fro

velik_m

11-11-2007, 04:07 PM

Raptors could be 7-0 if coach would start Rasho since the start of the season.

just saying...

Typhoon

11-11-2007, 08:00 PM

Raptors could be 7-0 if coach would start Rasho since the start of the season.

just saying...

Stop it with your Rasho fetish please, jeez. That franken dude wouldn't changed anything.

velik_m

11-12-2007, 09:53 AM

Stop it with your Rasho fetish please, jeez. That franken dude wouldn't changed anything.

:lol I see i will have to start using blue italics.

ploto

11-12-2007, 06:22 PM

Anyway, I had a thought there might be a change in the starting line-up coming, but dropping Bargnani for Rasho was one I hadn’t anticipated. Making that move and then inserting Moon the next night opened Mitchell up for some more questions.

Did it work? Check out the Raptors first bunch of defensive possessions or so: On the first one they get two deflections and force a long, contested two as the shot clock sounds. Next Rasho picks up the ball on a slow developing break, turns Miller and makes him pass and then gets the rebound on a missed (and contested two); 76ers miss, Rasho boxes out 76ers beast Reggie Evans and Parker gets an easy board. The 76ers are scoreless and have missed their first four shots. Philly hits a long jumper but then Rasho helps to deny penetration on Iguodala and then recovers to bother Evans into a miss and finishes the play with a rebound, on of his eight on the night. There’s more, but you get the picture: Philadelphia scored only 19 points in the first quarter and Nesterovic was part of the reason...

Another bonus of having first Rasho then Moon in the starting lineup is that both are secondary offensive players, happy to get their touches on chances created by others or at the end of a broken play or from an offensive rebound. That leaves more room and opportunity for Ford, Bosh and Parker to operate without worrying about involving Kapono or Bargnani. Parker, in particular could be expected to benefit from knowing that he’s got a responsibility to score, rather than facilitating Kapono and Bargnani. Or maybe it was just a coincidence that Parker was 13-of-24 on the weekend and six-of-nine from deep?

From Deep (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball)

ploto

11-14-2007, 08:47 PM

Rasho hurt in third quarter... :( In 20 minutes he had 4 points (2/4), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists and was doing a great job on Boozer. Bargnani stinking it up!

TOR 59
UTAH 64

end of third

ploto

11-15-2007, 01:46 AM

:depressed :depressed

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/e4f90880-5684-415b-b4d2-fc8f967792d4.jpg

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

ata

11-15-2007, 05:36 AM

fuck
I hope he'll be back soon

alamo50

11-15-2007, 05:48 AM

What about Dixon getting no playing time last night?

MI21

11-15-2007, 10:01 AM

Surprised to see Rasho hurt, one of his big positives is that he is very durable for a heavy center.

ploto

11-15-2007, 08:51 PM

Rasho didn't practice today. Officially, he is listed as day-to-day but I really doubt he can play tomorrow.

Rip-Hamilton32

11-15-2007, 08:52 PM

it seems when bosh struggles so does bargnani 6-23 combined vs the jazz

ploto

11-16-2007, 08:04 AM

The big question heading into tonight's game is the health of starting centre Rasho Nesterovic who sprained his ankle Wednesday night when he landed on top of Mehmet Okur's foot.

Nesterovic was held out of practice yesterday but was able to get some conditioning work done on the bike. Mitchell said he would wait until this morning's shootaround to make a decision on Nesterovic. If he can't go, the obvious replacement is Andrea Bargnani who started the first five games of the season at centre. His other option would be Kris Humphries who is coming off a strong 14-board game Wednesday night.

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/11/16/4660016-sun.html

ploto

11-16-2007, 08:05 AM

Toronto Raptors: Where Amazing Happens

This guy did a nice job:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HTLFO4V0mdo

ploto

11-16-2007, 01:48 PM

Guess Sam wants Andrea to get used to coming off the bench:

11:35am - Quick update for ya folks. Sam Mitchell says he has yet to decide who he will start tonight in place of Rasho Nesterovic … but … he has narrowed his choices down to two players: Maceo Baston or Kris Humphries.

Nesterovic is sidelined - day to day - with a sprained right ankle. He did not take part in yesterday’s practice or today’s shoot-around.
http://blog.rogersradiointernet.com/ericsmith/2007/11/16/maceo-or-hump/

And Hump to stay used to doing so...

According to Fan 590, Baston will start in place of Rasho tonight.

Also:

As illogical at it may seem, the logical move for the Raptors to make tonight is to start Maceo Baston in place of centre Rasho Nesterovic.

And coach Sam Mitchell hinted this morning that’s just what he’s going to do.

With Nesterovic out because of a sprained ankle, the least disruptive move to the greatest number of players would be to start Baston, who has yet to play a minute this season. That would allow both Andrea Bargnani and Kris Humphries to maintain the roles they are used to, coming off the bench in the first quarter of games.

And Baston, who spent last season with the Indiana team Toronto faces tonight, could probably give the Raptors almost the same production Nesterovic did in the 12 or 14 minutes he plays most games.

Mitchell, aside from ruling Nesterovic out, wouldn’t announce his next move.

“We’re going to wait,” he said.

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