CHICAGO - Dwane Casey wouldnt point fingers at Rudy Gay, fact is he didnt have to.
Kirk Gibson Dodgers Jersey . The product, even after four games, speaks for itself. The Raptors are a better team without Gay in their lineup. The Raptors have won three of four games since agreeing to move Gay to the Sacramento Kings in last weeks seven-player deal. With Gay the team recorded 20 or more assists in three of 18 games this season, collecting 17.3 per contest, last in the NBA. Without him theyve accomplishment that feat in three of four outings, averaging 23.0 dimes. Tasked with replacing a 20-point scorer, working three - soon-to-be four - new players into his lineup and managing a locker room filled with uncertainty as the trade winds continue to swirl, Casey has his team playing its best basketball of the campaign. Asked if that surprises him, in light of the situation he finds himself in, Casey responded bluntly, "No." Then he hedged, because what else is he supposed to say? "Its nothing to do with Rudy whatsoever," Casey continued, after Toronto recorded a season-best 26 assists, defeating the Bulls 99-77 in the second night of a back-to-back on the road. "I think the pieces fit more, from that respect, it has nothing to do with Rudy personally." It has everything to do with Rudy. The departed Raptors forward was taking more shots than he has before, missing more than hes missed before while averaging the fewest assists (2.2) of the 15 NBA players who hoist 17 or more shots a night. His absence has freed this team. Somehow, in spite of the continued trade speculation that has cast a shadow over their heads, they are winning and having fun in the process. For the first time this season, theyre playing as a team. "Im trying to set up everybody else and get them in a rhythm," said DeMar DeRozan, who had 15 points to go along with another four assists, hes accumulated 22 since the trade. "Once we do that everybody begins to play together because itll be fun and everything seems to be easier. Even though a lot of guys dont know the offence everyone on this team knows how to play, especially the new guys." "It was a team effort totally and its fun when you play like that," newcomer Greivis Vasquez chimed in, adding six dimes off the bench in his second game with the Raptors. "Its fun when the ball is moving and were playing great team defence. Ive only been here a week and I can tell all these guys have my back, and thats huge." Their unselfish play appears to be contagious. DeRozan - who Casey said is playing "like an old man," on account of his improved court awareness - has taken advantage of his new role in the offence, acting as the teams quarterback, a role Gay could never or would never accept. Casey is getting 48 minutes of competent point guard play from Vasquez and Kyle Lowry, whose trade value continues to go up as he produces at a high level. Even sophomore Terrence Ross - averaging less than an assist per game as a pro - contributed a career-best four helpers. With wire-to-wire victories on consecutive nights, the Raptors havent trailed in eight quarters of basketball. Unlike Fridays win over the woeful 76ers - the NBAs worst defensive club - Saturdays dismantling of the Bulls was impressive enough to take notice. Despite their recent struggles, having lost 10 of 13, the Bulls defence is and will remain elite, even without the injured Derrick Rose. Toronto shot 48 per cent from the field, holding the hosting Bulls to just 36 per cent while outscoring them 26-11 in the final quarter to seal an impressive victory, their second straight on the road. "Last time we played them they got the best of us and we knew we couldnt come here and come out soft," DeRozan said, referring to the Bulls dominant victory in Toronto last month, a game in which he matched his career-high with 37 points. "We had to jump on them out the gate and keep our foot on their neck." The effort was indeed of the complete team variety. Jonas Valanciunas came out with an edge facing and ultimately outplaying all-star Joakim Noah and Amir Johnson turned in another productive outing. With a retooled second unit, playing in its second game together, the starters actually had some help. Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and John Salmons combined for 26 points and eight assists, turning the ball over just once playing the bulk of the minutes off Torontos bench. "We have the bodies, we were deeper tonight and the guys contributed," Lowry said. "This is the first time I played less minutes in a long time and that is a testament to the guys coming off the bench." "[The starters] know they dont have to play 40-plus minutes," Casey stated. "They know they have a strong bench behind them so that kind of gives them comfort to really turn on the gas." With an off-day Sunday and a couple days of practice, the new-look Raptors could actually be more in tune with one another when they host the Bobcats on Wednesday. "I just like the whole atmosphere, man," Vasquez said with a big smile on his face. "Ive missed this. This is real team basketball. Everybodys sharing, everybodys talking, nobody cares whos going to have the most points at the end of the night and thats what I see on the court. Im just happy but Im not satisfied. Weve got to keep playing, weve got to keep getting better."
Howie Kendrick Dodgers Jersey . Fielding questions after the announcement, Yzerman noted that the brain trust had to take a chance on Stamkos being healthy, since they would be unable to add him to the roster later on. "If hes healthy hes one of the 25 best players, obviously, in Canada," Yzerman said after the roster announcement.
Los Angeles Dodgers Jersey . -- Chad Ochocinco now is going to try bull riding.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories. The junior committed his second turnover of the season early in the second half of the No. 3 Cardinals 87-48 win over Hartford in the Hall of Fame Tipoff on Tuesday night. He joked around after the game that they should change the rule for turnovers. "I think they should change the rules when you try to save the ball off the steal," he said. The Cardinals, who entered the game second nationally for fewest turnovers per game with 6, had seven on the night compared to Hartfords 25. Its the seventh straight game dating back to last season that the Cardinals have had 10 or fewer -- the longest streak in Pitinos 13 seasons with the team. The junior from Memphis played his first 67 minutes without committing an error before his pass slipped through freshman Anton Gills hands in Louisvilles last game against Cornell. He now has 17 assists in four games, including four Tuesday, compared to his two unfortunate miscues. His steady play at the point has eased the transition from Louisville legend Peyton Siva, now with the Detroit Pistons, and has earned the trust of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. "I think Chris Jones is a tremendous point guard," Pitino said. "He is very low to the ground and does not make a lot of mistakes." Pitino, known for his pressure defence, said he has emphasized not giving the ball back to opponents once his club has forced a takeaway. "One of the points of emphasis this year is we are going to not turn the ball over because we are a possession team," Pitino said. "If youre going to press, you are going to be all over the floor trapping and using that much energy. If you just give it away, all that energy was for naught." The Cardinals protective nature continued Tuesday, turning the ball over only twice in the first half. The first came more than 14 minutes into the game when Harrell was tied up under the basket and alternate possession was given to the Hawks. A Russ Smith offensive foul at the 1:54 mark was its only other error in the first half. Even when Louisville gave the ball to Hartford, they were hustling. Their final turnover came following a Chane Behanan steal when his behind-the-back save from his own corner to keep the ball inbounds hit the Louisville rim and nearly went in.
Chase Utley Authentic Jersey. In addition to committing mistakes, Jones is developing a bond with Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell. "I got a great feel for Trez," Jones said. "I know I can throw it to the rim and hell go get it." Harrell led No. 3 Louisville with 20 points and nine rebounds as Cardinals string of blowout wins to start the season continued. He was 9 of 12 from the field with six dunks, one off the school record. Harrells string of slams included a slam off Behanans missed free throw with 4:09 left that put Louisville up 81-46 with 4:11 to play. Russ Smith added 14 points as the Cardinals (4-0) extended their winning streak to 20 games dating to last seasons run to the national title. Jones and reserve Chane Behanan added 11 points apiece. Louisville shot 50 per cent from the field, outrebounded Hartford 35-29. Mark Nwakamma scored 16 points for the Hawks (2-3), and reserve Yasin Kolo finished with 12. Louisville jumped on Hartford right at the start, scoring the first eight points of the game and 22 of the first 30. Harrell passed to Wayne Blackshear for a 3-pointer and Terry Rozier converted a layup with 1:42 left in the first half to give the Cardinals a 42-19 lead before leading by 21 at halftime. The Hawks stayed within reach during the first 10 minutes by hitting 3 of their first 5 3-pointers, clawing back to a 22-11 deficit following Louisvilles opening run. But they missed their next 11 from behind the arc before Kolos triple with 5:01 remaining made it 79-44. Hartford finished the game 4 of 17 (24 per cent) on 3-pointers after hitting a season best 10 of 20 in its win last out against Fairleigh Dickinson. Louisvilles Luke Hancock went 2 for 4 as Louisville made 7 of 18 attempts from beyond the arc. The Hawks saw their winning streak end after beating its last two opponents by double digits. It was their fifth game in 11 nights. Louisville will play away from home for the first time on Saturday when it travels to Connecticut for two games to conclude the Hall of Fame Tipoff, the first against Fairfield. The Cardinals will then play either Richmond or North Carolina on Sunday.
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