TORONTO - Purely from an amusement standpoint, Raptors media day may never live up to the sideshow that was last years incarnation.
Raptors T-shirts . You
may recall the delightful juxtaposition of Drake, the teams newly-minted global
ambassador, perched on a stool adjacent to Rob Ford, the citys cartoonish mayor,
as Toronto was presented the 2016 NBA All-Star festivities. That was 12 months
ago. It was an act, all, but impossible to follow. What did follow, later that
afternoon, was the teams annual media day, a subdued version revolving around a
line of questioning that had little-to-nothing to do with the game of
basketball. How well do you know Drake? Does it upset you to hear people talk
about tanking? One by one players were ushered out, as is the tradition, until
the assembled media had their fill and carried on in preparation for what we
assumed would be another lost season. We were dead wrong. This time around there
was no global ambassador, no oafish mayor, no sideshow. Just basketball. The
upcoming 2014-15 campaign, the franchises 20th, will be unlike any the
organization has faced since its abbreviated glory days over a decade ago. Its
unlike any Dwane Casey has tackled as an NBA head coach and unlike any most of
his players have prepared for during their pro careers. Nearly five months
removed from a team-best 48-win season and a bittersweet seven-game series with
the Brooklyn Nets, the Raptors enter training camp - set to begin at the Air
Canada Centre on Tuesday - with new expectations and the pressure that is sure
to accompany them. True to character, neither Casey nor general manager, Masai
Ujiri, would set the bar at a specific win total or promise a deeper playoff run
in 2015, but its clear the days of tempering expectations are over. The reigning
Atlantic Division champs are embracing the target that a surprising, feel-good
season has left on their backs. You have to embrace it, Casey said, holding
court during Mondays festivities, held on the upper level of Real Sports Bar
& Grill, across from the ACC. This is the first time this organization,
since even before I got here, had heightened expectations, and I think thats a
good thing. Its something weve got to embrace, weve got to take it and run with
it, because its going to be there. Theres no pressure, its good pressure. Were
defending division champions and we have to go out every night and play like it.
I dona€?t do predictions, unfortunately, said Ujiri. Wea€?re hoping to win and
grow as a team. The NBA is full of surprises, issues, growing pains, adversity.
Wea€?re ready. Ita€?s our job to fix [problems]. Wea€?ll keep grinding it out.
Like the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs - the model for sustainable success in
basketball and throughout pro sports - the Raptors are banking on continuity and
internal growth to take them to the next level. We feel continuity is big for
us, Ujiri added. Consistency is really big for winning teams. That formula has
proven to work. We hope that it works for us. These guys, they like each other.
We have a chemistry. They compete. They go out there and play for each other.
Wea€?re not a selfish team. The young guys continue to grow and the platform
continues to be there. I think thata€?s very important for us. Back by popular
demand, the recently re-signed Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez spoke about
sacrifice and buying into their roles, concepts echoed by newcomers Lou Williams
and returning Raptor James Johnson. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry commanded the most
attention from the masses, justifiably so. At this time last year, the
soon-to-be free agent point guard dazzled the crowd with a slimmed-down physique
and unfamiliar, media-friendly attitude. Twelve months and $48-million later, he
seemed just as fit and jovial as ever. Those people who thought I would [be out
of shape], theyre idiots, he said with a laugh. People that expected me to come
back in shape, theyre smart. DeMar DeRozan never doubted his good friend and
backcourt sidekick would return, evident in his confident demeanour at the end
of last seasons playoff run. The two have spoken on the phone nearly every day
since, but DeRozans sales pitch during Lowrys free agency was understated, yet
effective. The things me and him did together [last season] spoke for itself,
DeRozan recalled telling Lowry over the summer. DeRozan was one of the first to
learn the news when Lowry had made his decision, before it became official.
Lowry called DeRozan while the all-star was en route to the Philippines for an
NBA showcase in July. The phone conversation cost DeRozan $45 in roaming fees.
Was it worth it? Hell, no. I need my $45, he joked. It means everything, the
Raptors two-guard said, asked about having Lowry and the rest of last years core
back. Especially for me, personally, because I never really had the consistent
group of guys that I could play with. And the chemistry that we had last year,
that we built between every single guy, was amazing, so just to have that back
and the type of quality of guys that we have on the team, means a lot. It wasnt
just DeRozan and Lowry who clicked. The teams refreshing composition of grit and
chemistry caught many by surprise a year ago and, although some may still be
skeptical about its sustainability, theyre not expecting the opposition to take
them lightly, nor should they. If the Raptors sneak up on anybody this season,
it will be because someone wasnt paying attention. Therein lies the challenge
for Casey as their motivational leader. His team came together following the
trade of Rudy Gay, once everyone outside of the locker room had written them off
and left them for dead. They had a chip on their shoulder, and it worked for
them. Now, even after all theyve accomplished over such a short amount of time,
Torontos fourth-year head coach intends to oversee the maturation of his young
players, while maintaining the fire that sparked them to begin the calendar
year. This is a new year, Casey said. So weve got to take that experience, add
it to the work in the summer and get that two-by-four back on our shoulder,
because again, we still dont have the total respect of the NBA, weve got to make
sure we gain that respect and keep that respect. They say, Theyre a one-year
wonder. Were the only ones that can control that. The first thing Williams
noticed about his new teammates, upon getting to know them after being acquired
from the Atlanta hawks over the summer, is their strong desire to be respected,
to be taken seriously. Its what has defined them as individuals and as a team.
DeRozan is starting to get the validation he seeks from his peers, having been
selected to his first All-star Squad and playing for the gold medal-winng Team
USA at the FIBA World Cup this summer. Still, hes pushed by everyone, anyone who
doubts him. I feel like theyre doing me a favour, honestly, he said of a recent
SI.com rankings list that slotted him at no. 61, lowest of last years All-Star
crop. Thats fine with me. I like having a chip on my shoulder. It just gives me
another reason to work hard. Whether they choose to paint themselves in this
manner or not, DeRozan and the Raptors are no longer underdogs. Are there
uncertainties and variables that will determine how far they can go this year?
Sure. But unlike a year ago, they will not be overlooked. Theyve gotten the
leagues attention. Now what will they do for an encore? Our goal is to win the
division, whatever that takes, Casey said. I dont know if were in the
conversation where we can say, Hey, were a 50-win team or a 55-win team, to be
able to come out and say that. Will we be an improved team? Yes. Whatever number
that is, thats not my job to put a number on it. My job is to make sure we get
back and get up running again and get that chip back on our shoulder from last
year. What are the expectations?, Ujiri asked, repeating the very question he
was posed, the theme that should define the following seven months. We want to
win. Its that simple.
DeMarre
Carroll Jersey . Terry came from Boston along with Kevin Garnett and
Paul Pierce but has appeared in just 35 games after a knee injury, averaging 4.5
points on 36 per cent shooting. Evans was a favourite of fans but not coach
Jason Kidd, who used him in just 30 of their 51 games.
Tracy
Mcgrady Raptors Jersey . The Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the
Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two weeks ago to hand Dallas its
longest losing streak at three games. Dallas (42-28) got a boost in the playoff
race when Miami rallied from seven down in the last 3 1/2 minutes to beat
Memphis 91-86 Friday night.
http://www.raptorsnbateamshop.com/jason-thompson-raptors-jersey/ . After two months of mediocrity, perhaps the Washington Nationals have turned
the page. Strasburg struck out 11 in seven innings Wednesday night and the
Nationals kept the Philadelphia Phillies bats quiet yet again in an 8-4,
rain-interrupted win.New York, NY - Its back to the business of baseball, as
World Series hero Pablo Sandoval and former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer
headline this years crop of 121 free agents. The Major League Baseball Players
Association released the list on Thursday, just a day after the San Francisco
Giants captured their third World Series title in five years. Sandoval, the 2012
World Series MVP who had a record 26 hits this postseason, is the top Giant
available and could command a hefty payday after his recent heroics. Also on the
list is Michael Morse, who had the go-ahead RBI single in San Franciscos 3-2
victory over Kansas City in Game 7 on Wednesday. Starting pitchers Jake Peavy
and Ryan Vogelsong are also eligible, as is reliever Sergio Romo. Scherzer may
be the No. 1 starting pitcher on the market. He turned down a long-term offer
from the Detroit Tigers in March after signing a one-year deal worth $15.25
million to avoid arbitration. The right-hander won the 2013 Cy Young Award after
a 21-3 campaign and this past season was 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA and a career-high
252 strikeouts. A couple of other top pitchers available are James Shields, who
helped the Royals to the American League title, and Jon Lester, who was dealt
from Boston to Oakland in the biggest trade at the July 31 deadline.
Jonas
Valanciunas Jersey. Other American League stars on the market include
Baltimore slugger Nelson Cruz, who led the majors with 40 home runs during his
lone season with the Orioles on the heels of his suspension for ties to the
Biogenesis scandal, Red Sox closer Koji Uehara, Tigers veterans Torii Hunter and
Victor Martinez, Yankees closer David Robertson and Blue Jays outfielder Melky
Cabrera. National League stars available include Dodgers shortstop Hanley
Ramirez, Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez, Nationals shortstop Asdrubal
Cabrera and a trio of Pittsburgh Pirates -- catcher Russell Martin and pitchers
Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez. Also part of the list are retired players
Derek Jeter, Paul Konerko and Bobby Abreu. Another 32 players may become
eligible pending option provisions in their contracts. Free agents can begin
negotiations with any club starting Nov. 4 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
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