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Nice blow out of the Bucks. The box score won't show it but Rasho played well and his entry into the game in the third quarter started a 19-0 run.He had 3 points, 2 assists, and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes.
For a young team every victory is important, especially those against quality teams on the road. This season the Raptors have beaten the teams with the best records in each conference (Boston and New Orleans) on the road in two exciting games. They also beat the Spurs in SA and beat Dallas and Portland in Toronto. That is something upon which they can build their confidence for the future.
Nice blow out of the Bucks. The box score won't show it but Rasho played well and his entry into the game in the third quarter started a 19-0 run.
Raptors thriving under Mitc 's tough-love approach
A very nice long article from SI. A few highlights:
"I tell my players this all the time," Mitc said. "If you want me to judge you on making shots, then you will play as you make shots. But if you want to have an opportunity to remain on the court on the night that you're not making shots -- by rebounding, [playing] defense, help defense, moving without the basketball, being active, getting deflections -- if you want me to judge you on those things which are going to keep you on the court longer, (as opposed to) if you're making shots ... which one do you want? Because you're not going to make shots every night. Does that mean you don't want to play that night? So that's the thing we tell Andrea...
And is it painful sometimes? Yes. But what's wrong with a young player going through some struggles? Isn't that what we do in life? Doesn't it build character? Doesn't it make you better when you come out on the other end? Don't it build toughness -- mental toughness -- and don't it make you appreciate everything? Andrea's working harder than he's ever worked before. So those are all the things you want him to learn. And I'm fine with that because his at ude's been great, his work ethic has been great. Him accepting what we're trying to teach him and working on it and bringing it to the practices and to the games has been great. So I look at those four things and I see all positive things. He's got talent, he wants to be great but it takes time. So my whole thing with Andrea is as long as he's in the right frame of mind and continues to get better, he'll make shots eventually.""Did you see Jose in his first year?" said Mitc . "A lot of people in this league didn't think Jose could play in the NBA his first year. After that season I had a lot of guys -- in the media -- say he can't play, he's not that good. Now look at him. He went through some struggles. Look at the results. So what's wrong with that? Haven't you been through some struggles in your life?"
"No," I said. "Never."
"Well, I don't believe that," said Mitc , looking away. "I'm pleased with Jose. I have the utmost respect for Jose. He's worked, and I was tough on Jose. Ask Jose what was his name his rookie year. It wasn't 'Jose Calderon.' I'll let him tell you."
...Afterwards I asked Calderon what Mitc used to called him.
"I cannot say that for the media," he said in his thick Spanish accent. "It was 'beeeeep rook.'" He made a long beeping noise to emphasize the abundance of syllables.
"In the beginning it was tough, because, you know, we didn't win many games," Calderon said. "He didn't let me practice sometimes. It was hard. But right now I am here because of him too. It was tough on me, but look, everything worked out. I feel really comfortable with him and with my teammates, so it's OK."
So Mitc made you stronger?
"For sure, for sure," said Calderon. "I'm a better player because I have to wake up every day and work hard just to try to make it so he doesn't call me nothing."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...own/index.html
Lol at your sig !!!!
I borrowed it from someone. I hope he doesn't mind. I could not get in touch with him. I'll only use it a couple of days for fun. I wondered if anyone would even see it!Lol at your sig !!!!
Your sig is cute Ploto.
I have signatures turned off and so logged off especially to see it.
Was entirely worth it.
Innuendo
Lefty
I was never subtle about the fact that I think Rasho is cute.
Rasho will always be a favorite of mine.
However, as Sho is now married and since it is a brand new '08, I have decided to keep the Raps but find myself a new crush.
This link shows http://www.popcornmachine.net/cgi-bi...25&game=MILTORNice blow out of the Bucks. The box score won't show it but Rasho played well and his entry into the game in the third quarter started a 19-0 run.
Good work Raps. Good work Sho.
Do you think Rasho’s the king of the tap-back offensive rebound? Did it twice Friday night, giving the Raptors the kind of extra possessions they usually give up rather than get.
I’m telling you know, if Rasho’s still here come playoff time, he’s going to be hugely valuable. He’s got the size, experience and savvy to help anchor halfcourt defences and that’s what you need in the post-season.
I asked one of the zillion ex-Raptor assistants on the Milwaukee staff what he thought of Rasho and the answer was quick: “Smartest guy on the team.”
http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/200...rning-a-8.html
Raptors only had 2 games last week, so things seem to have gotten a little silly...
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Bas...97594-sun.htmlJason Kapono, the defending NBA three-point champion, won't know who his compe ion is for the event until Feb. 7, but he already is gearing up and with plenty of help from the entire Raptors organization.
Kapono spent a good half hour after practice yesterday working on his stroke as he went station to station firing three-pointers on the clock just like he will be in New Orleans on Feb. 16.
But this was much more than just one guy working on his three-point shooting.
The Raptors did their best to imitate the all-star atmosphere complete with blaring music for the UCLA alumnus. Marc Eversley, the Raptors' director of basketball operations, was mimicking a cameraman just off Kapono's elbow shooting the event. General manager Bryan Colangelo (in sweats, no less) provided additional distraction while acting as head official and waving off that last shot Kapono let fly just after the buzzer went off...
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/b...ers-laugh.aspxIn preparation for Tuesday's game against Washington, the Toronto Raptors participated in a drill on Sunday in which they had to run wind sprints every time they missed a free throw.
Even the coaches got involved. Sam Mitc , Alex English, Jay Triano, Mike Evans and Eric Hughes combined to hit nine of their 15 shots, meaning they had a lot of distance to cover.
How did they handle it?
"You see where Sam is sitting, don't you?," Chris Bosh said, pointing at the coach, slumped on a chair to the side of the practice court. "He hasn't moved."
Mitc said he was hurting after the sprints. "I can get over my feelings a lot better than picking up my body," he said.
Bosh added the drill will likely not become routine. "They can only do that once a year. Today was that day. So they're done."
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Bas...97595-sun.htmlLike the Raptors' defending three-point shooting champ Jason Kapono, Moon is getting plenty of help from teammates, coaches, the team's public relations staff as well as the team website.
"I think Jay is the most creative guy I every met," Moon said in reference to assistant coach Jay Triano, who along with reserve guard Juan Dixon has been helping Moon out with some new dunks. "He has come up with some crazy ideas.
"I think the ideas we are taking into the dunk contest are going to be the most creative," Moon said.
Cute articles.
I so want Moon to win the slam dunk contest. Bring it home for the Raptors.
Calderon takes out the trash
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Bas...97584-sun.htmlThe concept of trash talking is lost on Jose Calderon.
He doesn't do it himself and when it is directed at him, which is happening more frequently, rarely does he realize it.
Calderon's first experience with this predominantly North American practice was in his rookie season.
"The only guy I remember doing it was in my first few games (with the Raptors)," Calderon said.
"It was Gary Payton. He was talking to me for the whole game. After one whistle I said, "Look, the only thing I can say in English is I don't understand what you are saying."
Calderon will be the first to acknowledge his English-language skills have come a long way since the Glove showed him no love, but he insisted he is unaware of teams paying him any more attention.
"Maybe you see something from outside and I don't realize they are talking to me," Calderon said. "I am concentrating."
Calderon is bang on with that assumption. Take the game against the Boston Celtics last Wednesday night, for example.
Celtics backup point guard Eddie House was trying to get Calderon's attention both when he was in the game and when he was on the bench. Calderon said he did not realize it.
There was the Anthony Johnson incident that Calderon had to be aware of after the Atlanta Hawk threw an elbow at the back of his head.
But Calderon said that was an isolated act.
"I don't know what happened with him," Calderon said.
"That was just a one-time thing.
"I don't have anything else like that happen with anyone else in the league."
Calderon says he does all his talking (to the opposition) at the start of the game.
"Only at the beginning of the game I say how are you, how are you doing to everyone," Calderon said. "That's it."
Chris Bosh doesn't see or hear Calderon doing much baiting, but he routinely sees him make his opponents look bad and suggested that might be the reason for the increased resentment Calderon has been receiving lately.
"He's a focal point and he plays hard," Bosh said. "And he's strong, man. You don't think that when you look at him, but he's very fast and he's a physical player and when a guy is getting busted you know he's going to be upset a little bit.
"It happens. Sometimes people try to intimidate you out of your play, but that doesn't work with Jose. He just plays basketball."
While Bosh agreed the international players, particularly those who are new to the NBA, probably will get a little more in the way of intimidation tactics from opponents, he said everyone is fair game.
"It's kind of a test, but ask any player, if they don't know you and they think you are friendly or something they are going to test you," Bosh said.
"That's fair. I do it. I play hard against someone, get physical and see if they respond. If they do you have a game and if they don't that's a plus for you."
Raptors head coach Sam Mitc believes Calderon when he says he is unaware of any extra attention, but has seen it for himself and said it's a badge of honour for the young Spaniard.
"I wouldn't say they're testing him," Mitc said. "When they do stuff like that I would say it's a sign of respect. Guys don't talk to people they don't worry about. You don't get in a guy's face you're not worried about. You don't cheap-shot a guy who can't play. You want that guy to be in the game. That's a sign of respect."
TJ Ford update:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2...28/jones_ford/Ford's rehab is being conducted under the watchful eye of former NBA head coach, John Lucas, at the John Lucas Basketball Resource Centre in Houston, Texas.
Lucas has a wide variety of programs that work to help players in developing their individual game on many levels including mental and physical therapy, and recovery programs that aid players that have had issues with substance abuse...
It's the second time that Ford has gone through a basketball-specific rehab treatment to endure the rigours of the NBA. Ford has been out of the Raptors lineup since Dec. 11th when a flagrant foul by Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks snapped his head back as he was about to attempt a reverse lay up.
Ford left the court on a stretcher.
"The first time it (the rehab) happened, he had been still for so long (following surgery) that we had to get his posture back," said Lucas.
Lucas and Ford are currently focusing on the mental aspect surrounding Ford's return to compe ive play.
"We have focused on his mindset as far as getting his body back and getting it strong," said Lucas. "I've explained to him the maintenance that he has to do to be able to play like he wants to play is now going to be a daily thing until his body builds itself back up."
Lucas has talked to Ford about some players that can come to practice just before it starts and put on their sneakers and play while others need to get there early and prepare to practice. As it stands now, Ford is part of the latter group.
Ford's recovery effort is taking place in familiar surroundings and he has the support of his family, in particular his father, who has been a source of strength according to Lucas.
Lucas, the No. 1 overall selection in the 1976 draft, knows Ford well because his son, John Lucas III, played AAU basketball with him.
A typical day for Ford sees him arrive at the gym around 9 a.m. and work for half an hour on core and stability exercises.
The next 30-45 minutes focus on shooting with Ford needing to make 100 shots from five different spots on the floor.
But Lucas is also working on another important aspect of the game with Ford.
"We've been working on learning how to fall," said Lucas. "We use mats and he is working on how to fall and protect himself."
Ford also plays one-on-one with D-league players and before some additional physical rehab close to noon that centers on strengthening muscles in his neck area.
There is more weight training and when the lifting is done, Ford is back in the gym from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. for more basketball drills.
Last week Ford and Lucas worked on defense and getting over screens set by an offensive player.
When asked about a possible return to coaching after working with numerous NBA players, including Raptor Kris Humphries and free agent Damon Stoudamire, Lucas quickly shifted the conversation back to Ford.
"My focus is on T.J. right now," said Lucas. "His mental approach has been outstanding. I keep telling T.J. that life is a bunch of start overs and if he gets hurt again, we have to be willing to start over again."
Lucas who has been connected to the NBA game for 30-plus years has high praise for Ford and his skill set as a point guard.
"In my 35 years in the NBA, I haven't seen five better point guards than T.J. when he is right, and that's saying a lot because I've seen a lot of them," said Lucas. "Those guys aren't developed they are born."
When asked about Calderon's play in Ford's absence Lucas was complimentary.
"I like Calderon a lot, I think he has done a great job" said Lucas. "He is the perfect complement for T.J."
According to Lucas it sounds like Ford will be very close to his old self when he returns.
And just when will that be?
"Very shortly" according to Lucas.
Mitc thinks long term at centre
That means more floor time for youngster Bargnani, less for veteran Nesterovic
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/298305Any comparisons between Andrea Bargnani and Rasho Nesterovic as Raptors' starting centre should focus not just on any perceived lessening of Nesterovic's abilities. They should also look at the changing nature of the NBA's big men. It's a reality that fewer fives are traditional back-to-the-basket centres, like the Slovenian veteran.
"Andrea needs to play," coach Sam Mitc simply said. "He's the No. 1 pick in the draft and we like him. He was the second best rookie last year. It's just a matter of how the game is going and if we feel that it's a guy that Rasho matches up against. I'm not going to put Rasho out there and put him on (a guy like) Antawn Jamison.'
It's not like the move at starter from Nesterovic to Bargnani has transformed the Raps into the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Far from that.
In fact the change, in the short term, may have set the Raps back a couple of notches. But since Mitc is inked to a long-term deal as coach, he does not need to live for the moment. He has a comfortable view of the future.
"Andrea's got to learn and he's not going to learn sitting over there with me," Mitc said. "Andrea's got to find out who and what he is. He's one of the guys that is the future of this franchise. We wouldn't have taken him No. 1 if he wasn't."
Bargnani, the 22-year-old sop re has struggled since early this season. In fact, since he took over, first quarters have resembled track meets with both teams routinely eclipsing the quarter-century mark. Early defence in the middle might help.
"Andrea is our future," the third-year coach reiterated. "If he is coming off the bench, he'll probably get more plays run for him with the second unit, getting better shots, but he's got to figure out how to get his shots with Chris (Bosh) on the court, with Jose (Calderon), Anthony Parker and those guys."
As for Nesterovic, he is not necessarily happier backing up his younger teammate than starting, but as a multi-year veteran, he recognizes the inevitability.
"I know Andrea's the future," Nesterovic shrugged. "I'm just going to try and do what I can do where they need me, whenever they need me. Believe me, we're in it together. I think we just need to give him time. He came here not because he was like Shaq or some other big guys. He came here because he has some other potential that other guys don't have. We need to give him time and be patient."
The comparison that has been made most often is to the big man with the outside touch, Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks. But is it fair at this point in Bargnani's struggles?
"Even the big stars from Europe like Pau Gasol and Nowitzki and Peja (Stojacovic), they didn't come on their first year," Nesterovic said. "They needed time to build up and once they got doing everything consistently, they became really big superstars. Sooner or later, he's going to become that."
Nesterovic is certain that as the playoffs approach, his own value to the team will increase.
It's at that time of year that the value of solid defence becomes appreciated.
"It's never 120-115 in the playoffs," Nesterovic explained. "Everything is going to be around 90 or 95. We can go deep into the playoffs, especially since the other teams in the East are not that dominant. Even Boston has started to lose some games. It doesn't mean they're not going to be better in the playoffs. But we're going to get better."
In the meantime, against teams like the Wizards, the Raps' next opponent, Rasho patiently waits, hoping to make a good enough impression in his brief minutes on the floor to remain in the rotation and part of an improving team.
All right Sho! Ready for the play offs.
Now Starring . . . Chris Bosh
Few highlights of long article:
Let's talk about The Video. You know the one. That grainy, 77-second window into Chris Bosh's personality that has made the Toronto Raptors' All-Star power forward an overnight Internet sensation, one on par with Andy Milonakis, Numa Numa and Paris Hilton. (O.K., maybe not Paris, but definitely Perez.) Thanks to a $300 Sony Handicam, a Western wardrobe and a little tech savvy, Bosh has emerged from the relative anonymity that comes with playing on the only NBA team north of the border. His now famous YouTube clip -- which features the 6' 10", 230-pound Bosh, clad in a black cowboy hat, a black blazer, a white shirt and a bolo tie that would have made John Wayne proud, channeling his inner used-car salesman in a pronounced Texas drawl while urging fans to punch his name on the All-Star ballot -- has become more popular than an average NHL broadcast. (Through Sunday it had been viewed 440,803 times on YouTube, plus an untold number more on Bosh's website, chris-bosh.com.) "It has become bigger than I could have imagined," says Bosh. "The Internet is the most powerful tool in the world. It's everywhere."
Since Bosh first posted The Video in late December, it has also run on CNN, ESPN, TSN and virtually every regional sports network in the United States and Canada. Over the last few weeks the team's public relations office has been inundated with requests from TV stations looking for original copies. Fans approach Bosh almost daily wanting to talk about it. "It's the accent," says Bosh, a Dallas native. "People keep coming up to me asking me to do it." When the Raptors were in New York last month, one fan shouted at Bosh that he had watched the video but still didn't vote for him. "Now that was funny," says Bosh...
"It's not politicking," insists Toronto coach Sam Mitc . "I've got a stack of mail on my desk from coaches asking me to vote for their players. I got a fruit basket. That's [politicking]. What Chris did was for fun."With his girlfriend, Allison Mathis, filming and with Joel on hand to play a supporting role, Bosh parked his white Escalade EXT in front of a fence across the street from his house in Dallas and delivered an inspired performance. A few takes later ("We had to stop once," says Bosh, "because my mom came over and burst out laughing"), the video was ready to be uploaded.
The clip showed a side of the smooth NBA superstar that few have seen. "I always thought he was a country bumpkin," says his coach, Mitc . "Now I know." Bosh is in fact a bit of a homebody. He goes out at night, but "it's only for an hour or two," he says. "Then I'm back on the couch or asleep." He's friendly with all his teammates but isn't particularly close to any of them, save, perhaps, fellow Texan Ford, who hasn't played since early December because of a neck injury. That's probably why so many Raptors were stunned to see their quiet superstar on television hamming it up and looking like a Brobdingnagian cowboy.
"It was hilarious," says shooting guard Anthony Parker. "I've been telling him to show some more personality because he can be a funny guy."
"It worked," says point guard José Calderón. "I didn't vote for him before, but I did after."http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...204/index.htmlThe truth is, he's a nerd. A supernerd, really -- think Lewis Skolnick with twists. He's as comfortable talking about gigabytes and hard drives as he is defense and jump shots. He reads PC World and Wired magazines. He blogs. He has his own MySpace page and spends his free time instant messaging. ("I would be on there more often," says Bosh, "but no one hits me back.") He has two Treos, and his laptop is constantly humming as it downloads music. He has a second PC that he custom-configured to run an entertainment center that includes nearly every video game system in existence. "What can I say," says Bosh. "I like gadgets." During last season's All-Star weekend in Las Vegas, Bosh dropped by the NBA's Technology Summit, an event usually attended only by corporate executives and a smattering of media (and, of course, Mark Cuban). His presence attracted notice: At this year's Summit, Bosh will sit on a panel moderated by Wolf Blitzer to discuss social networking and blogging. Says NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver, "He's a computer geek trapped in an NBA player's body."
Moreover, The Video opened the door to other opportunities. Shortly after it was posted, YouTube officials contacted Bosh about starting his own online channel. Hence, the birth of Chris Bosh TV (CBTV), which includes behind-the-scenes footage of Bosh recording his podcast and attending various events. On the channel he will also periodically answer questions submitted on his website or YouTube. "It's my way of interacting with the fans," says Bosh, who, thanks to The Video, now has a lot more of them.
Wizards getting Rash-owned!! After a game against the same team last night where Rasho hardly played because Sam thinks he does not match up with the Wizards, Rasho comes into the game tonight with Bosh in foul trouble. First half-- 14 minutes; 4-4; 8 points; 6 rebounds; 1 assist. Rasho ended the half with the put back dunk off the Calderon miss!!
Blow out-- Raptors 122 Washington 83
Rasho 20 minutes; 9 points 4/4; 1/2; 8 rebounds; 2 assists
Just wish Sam had played him last night. Maybe they could have won both these games against the Wizards.
Holy moley!
Congrats team.
Good game, Sho.
Stoudamire joins Spurs; Ford set to join Raptors
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/299120Damon Stoudamire is not coming back, but T.J. Ford is and things are looking up in the Raptor backcourt.
While Stoudamire has decided to join the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent, the Raptors will get a boost when Ford rejoins the team to start practising as early as the beginning of next week.
Ford, who hasn't played since suffering a neck and back injury in a fall during a Dec.11 game, is ready to return to the team after spending a couple of weeks in his hometown of Houston working out with former NBA star John Lucas.
It's unclear when Ford may play again – it's going to take some time for him to get used to the speed of an NBA game again – but it's not out of the realm of possibility he could be back in uniform right around the Feb.15-17 all-star break....
Enjoyable game until the fourth quarter.
andrea with 28 pts but only 4 rbs in 40 mins of play
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