Posts Tagged ‘Raptors’

Raptors, Alan Anderson could stay together

- April 19th, 2012

Alan Anderson’s return to the NBA after a long absence has gone better than anybody besides Anderson could have expected and against all odds, the swingman might have played himself into Toronto’s future plans.

That will depend on what president/general manager Bryan Colangelo does this summer, but don’t count out an Anderson return to Canada after stints in Italy, Russia, Israel and the U.S., among others.

His play on two 10-day contracts convinced the Raptors to sign Anderson for the remainder of this campaign recently. In nine starts, Anderson has averaged 11.8 points, shot 43.6% from three and 44.7% from the field overall (his numbers are 9.1, 42.2%, 43.6% overall in 14 appearances with Toronto).

Colangelo is going to be extremely busy this summer looking to fill holes at small forward and point guard while also bringing top prospect Jonas Valanciunas and possibly another rookie or two into the fold via the draft (Toronto has its own first round pick, its second and another second from Indiana).

Anderson’s skill-set (versatile, rugged defender, who can hit outside shots at a high rate) fits  well with what Colangelo is building, but both sides are keeping their options open, knowing the roster could see a massive overhaul in the off-season.

“We will definitely have interest in him for next season but we mutually agreed (it was) not good to be tied down,” Colangelo told the Toronto Sun.

“If we need the (cap) space we have it. If he sees less opportunity because we draft, sign or trade for a wing, then he can look elsewhere.

“It’s best for both sides, but we also mutually like the fit.”

With his team well under the cap and the free agent pickings less than ideal, Colangelo would love to make a splash via the trade route prior to July 1st. That way, he would be able to take advantage of the space the Leandro Barbosa trade created, before that no longer would be the case.

Anderson won’t command the type of deal Anthony Parker (a superstar in Israel while Anderson merely was a good player) – got the last time Colangelo rebuilt the Raptors (Parker got $12 million over three years), but a Gary Forbes-esque deal ($1.5-$2 million a season) could make sense.

- Ryan Wolstat

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Bryan Colangelo agrees in principle to extension with Raptors

- May 17th, 2011

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo is sticking around.

Colangelo confirmed to the Toronto Sun on Tuesday morning, ahead of the NBA’s draft lottery that he has “agreed in principle” to a contract extension.

Colangelo’s contract was set to expire next month and though it was announced he would represent the team at Tuesday’s draft lottery, his status had been unclear for months.

The Sun first reported on February 15th in this space though that “While there is no timetable for an announcement, according to a source with knowledge of the thinking of the upper echelon of the MLSEL board, “It is 99% certain that (Colangelo) will be re-signed before the end of his current contract (which is due to expire on June 30th).”

It took a while, but that information proved correct, though it remains unclear what the terms of the new deal are.

Colangelo had faced opposition Glen Silvestri, a board member representing majority owner Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan, but had the backing of other influential board members like CEO Richard Peddie, COO Tom Anselmi and Larry Tanenbaum, who owns almost 20% of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Ltd.

For more on this story http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/17/raptors-bring-back-colangelo

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Positive signs and media day update

- April 11th, 2011

There were some positive signs in Sunday’s victory over New Jersey.

DeMar DeRozan’s mid-range game continues to come a long nicely though the team desperately needs another scorer to take the focus of opposing defences off of him going forward. Andrea Bargnani alone won’t do.

Jerryd Bayless looked good again as the starting point guard, generally making good decisions with the ball.

Ed Davis looked the part of solid NBAer and Reggie Evans put in his usual effort.

Evans is expected to meet with the media on Wednesday, instead of Thursday’s media day as he rushes to get back to his family and newborn son.

Bryan Colangelo will meet with the media next Monday.

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Enjoy these games

- April 8th, 2011

It’s been a trying season for Raptors fans. Some brutal play, one of the worst records in team history and so on.

But, my advice is to enjoy what is left of this season because it could be a long time before professional basketball starts up again.

The last lockout lasted until February and cost Toronto half a season of Vinsanity. This one could go even longer.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but just in case, make the time to watch every remaining came this season.

You’ll be happy you did next fall.

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Day 1 in London

- March 2nd, 2011

Dear Boss:

Well, I’ve arrived in jolly old England in one piece. Lots of room on the plane but I couldn’t sleep so I’m jet lagged as hell, but doing fine.
Not a huge buzz here yet for the two Raptors/Nets games Friday and Saturday. Went over to the O2 Arena this morning for the Nets availability and the first life-sized posters promoting the event as you walk out of the Tube station are Leandro Barbosa and former Raptor Kris Humphries. Found that a little odd.
They’ve still got the Derek Favours one’s up too. Guess that Deron Williams trade caught them off guard over here too.
Our good friend Steve Simmons mentioned he had heard they were having trouble selling these games.
Well, they’ve already sold out all 18,559 for Saturday’s game and they’re approaching a sellout for Friday. Technically they only had to sell 15,200 because the other 3,359 are corporate seats.
Ran into former Raptors Sam Mitchell and Humphries once inside. Sam is way too nice as an assistant. He’s much more entertaining when he’s giving anyone and everyone in the media a hard time. I couldn’t even get an eye roll out of him this morning.
Humphries, who has become the Nets go-to guy for media requests was chatty until I brought up his Kardashian girlfriend at which point he said he only talks basketball.
Can’t imagine that comes from the Kardashian family who have never shied away from publicity.
Still, Kris wouldn’t even confirm Kim was going to be in London.
Kardashian though, if she does come, isn’t even close to being the most famous female personality on the trip. There’s also the chance Sasha Vujacic brings fiance Maria Sharapova. Part owner Jay-Z might up the ante even more if his wife Beyonce comes on the trip.
Enough for now. I’ll check back in tomorrow.

Mike

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The trade exception situation

- February 18th, 2011

More teams than ever before (or as far back as I can remember) have trade exceptions this season.

Couple that with the fact that a new collective bargaining agreement/lockout is on the horizon and nobody knows whether the landscape will be the same going forward (less guarantees on contracts? franchise tags, etc.?) and it is no wonder why NBA teams aren’t really using their TPEs this season.

While the word is if the Carmelo to New Jersey deal happens, Troy Murphy will be moved immediately by the Nuggets along with one of the four 1st round picks they are expected to receive in exchange for a TPE which will bring them under the luxury tax.

Don’t expect the Raptors to be the team that makes a play for Murphy. Toronto’s remaining TPE is about $10.7 million U.S., meaning it isn’t big enough to take on Murphy’s near $12 million dollar stipend.

Cleveland, Sacramento and Minnesota each have big enough TPE’s to get involved and get themselves a first rounder out of it.

Toronto’s TPE expires in July, but if there is a lockout, free agency won’t happen and everything will be in flux.

Bryan Colangelo will have between the end of the season and the draft to find a taker for the TPE or it will expire and the team will have cap space whenever NBA action resumes.

Clear as mud?

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Raptors: Blake’s great but Vince is still the best in-game dunker ever

- February 12th, 2011

While Blake Griffin’s dunks have been spectacular this season and he is already surely high up the list of the NBA’s all-time dunkers, it is hard to agree with those who think he already is the best in-game dunker in NBA history.

Very few people in Toronto, in particular, would put Griffin at the top.

Not when they witnessed the aerial exploits of a young Vince Carter.

Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans both chose Carter as the top in-game dunker, while DeRozan gave Carter his due, while also supporting the greatest player ever, Michael Jordan, who, as most would remember, was a pretty special dunker himself (you don’t get called “Air” for nothing).

“I’ve seen a lot of great dunkers, he’s been one of the good ones this season (but) I wouldn’t call him that (top in-game dunker ever),” Johnson said

Added DeRozan, who will face off with Griffin next week at the all-star festivities:

“You can’t top Vince’s dunks (and) nobody can top MJ’s dunks.”

DeRozan said if he gets a breakaway on Sunday against the Clippers he will try to send Griffin a message that the Slam Dunk contest is not already wrapped up.

“If I get an opportunity I’d love to (do something special),” DeRozan said with a laugh.

Evans, who has known Carter for years, was most in favour of Carter being the untoppable of dunkers.

“Vince Carter was on a whole ‘nother level. That’s a whole nother level I’m biased too because we’re Florida boys,” Evans said.

“Blake’s got some nice dunks, but you’ve got to understand I’ve been watching Vince since high school. He had some amazing dunks in North Carolina, here, everywhere he went . (But) Blake Griffin got some nice dunks, he’s doing a great job, you can’t knock him. Talented player, strong, got a bright future ahead of him.”

Who do I pick as the best in-game dunkers I’ve seen during their primes:

Vince Carter

Michael Jordan

Dominique Wilkins

Shawn Kemp

Clyde Drexler (Portland version)

Blake Griffin

Charles Barkley (Philly version)

Larry Johnson (Charlotte version)

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A New Year’s Eve to Remember

- January 1st, 2011

Smiles were few and far between in the Raptors locker room after Friday’s New Year’s Eve loss to Houston.
Sure DeMar DeRozan was a little happy with himself having contributed a career-high 37 points, but in the wake of a loss there was no chance he would crack anything resembling a smile.
There was one Raptor, however, who couldn’t help but smile and no one could blame him.
Solomon Alabi was a DNP-coach’s decision for Friday’s game, but the smile on his face and the awe in his voice after a particular post-game conversation surpassed anything that could have happened in the game for him.
As he sat at his locker towelling off following his shower, another huge figure approached him with open arms and at that point the biggest smile in the room.
It was fellow Nigerian and NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon. Alabi had never met him before but grew up idolizing the man who blazed the path for Nigerian basketball players back in 1984. That was four years before Alabi was even born, but “The Dream” was well known to Alabi.
Olajuwon spent a few private moments with Alabi who was still smiling about the meeting five minutes after Olajuwon had left.
Word had come from a clubhouse attendant that Olajuwon wanted to speak with Alabi in the hallway, but “Solo” as he is most often called, was still in the shower.
Alabi admitted he was hurrying to get out of the locker room when Olajuwon walked in and made a bee-line for his fellow countryman.
There won’t be a lot of Raptors who look back fondly on the final day of 2010, but Solomon Alabi will.
— Mike Ganter

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Bargnani to miss trip, what now?

- December 27th, 2010

The injury bug continues to plague the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani, after successfully battling off knee and ankle woes will be sidelined for at least the three upcoming road games (Memphis, Dallas, Houston) due to a calf injury.

What that means is a very tough trip just got a lot more challenging. Zach Randolph/Marc Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki/Tyson Chandler/Brendan Haywood await and should have their way against a Toronto frontcourt lacking a 7-footer.

Equally close to both the 8th seed in the East and a nice spot in the lottery, the Raptors are wisely erring on the side of caution with Bargnani. No point throwing him out there and risking more severe injuries down the line just to stay close to the playoff pack.

Let him heal fully and let the chips fall where they may later on.

In the meantime, rookie Ed Davis is about to see a sizable increase in minutes and Joey Dorsey gets another shot at proving that he can take the place of Reggie Evans when the big man is either traded or let loose this summer when his contract expires.

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Nothing like a Lakers game

- December 19th, 2010

When the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers come to town, everything is a little bit different at the Air Canada Centre.

The crowd is louder and more into the proceedings. There are way more fans of the opponent than usual and every movement  by Kobe Bryant is watched in awe by the purple and gold dotted crowd.

There is no hockey equivalent to a Lakers game at the ACC. Even Sidney Crosby doesn’t provoke this kind of a buzz.

The Lakers carry themselves different than other teams Down early, they don’t care, they know there’s a lot of time to go. While other coaches call timeouts like crazy, Phil Jackson calmly sits and waits, calling time only on rare occasions.

The Lakers are bigger and stronger than almost all opponents and have Bryant, the closest thing we have seen to Michael Jordan, to bail them out when things look bleak. Against the Raptors on Sunday, the points in the paint were 32-16 for Los Angeles at the half.

L.A. has the ultimate luxury. Let Bryant carve opponents, or let the NBA’s biggest group of forward/centres, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum or Ron Artest go to work.

Bynum and Gasol are bigger and quicker than most centres, Artest, along with Lebron James, is the biggest small forward around and Odom has height, athleticism and speed going for him.

If there is one annoying thing about the Lakers and the NBA in general, it is the fact that the team almost always gets the benefit of the doubt from officials. Even benchwarmers like Luke Walton get more leeway on bang-bang plays than do players on other teams. That’s why a charging call on Bryant late in the first half was met by gasps from those on hand. Usually the call would have went the other way.

With  Bynum back in the lineup, the champs are back to full-strength and look as scary as ever. The Raptors won’t see them again until next season.

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