The anonymous comments disabled

Yes, you might have different opinions than mine. It's a blog, not Wikipedia - based on my opinions more than my knowledge, which is not full nor flawless. I am open to discussion and I will not delete your comment if it is about basketball.

Yea, my grammar and spelling still need a little work and English isn't my first language, but it's not a place to discuss it. Feel free to email me if it's so outrageous, you're unable to understand.

'Women should leave sports for men and go back to washing the dishes'? Wow. I am speechless.

Season in Waiting - Evaluating Marco Belinelli

For some reason half of Toronto and their mama seem to be deeply in love with this dude. I don't see him as a huge difference maker, really. He averaged 8.9 points in 42 games for Nellie's Golden Stated Warriors but he barely had any assist or rebound. He had his 23 points against Toronto, but who didn't? Last season's Toronto team was like a huge playground for low-esteem players and a field for increasing their numbers. He also had 27 points in 42 minutes against Atlanta, but somehow (surprise! surprise!) his team managed to lose.

Advantages:
- He won't have to see Nellie anymore, which might improve his self-confidence. Let's hope it won't result in too much 3-point attempts. Learn to pass the ball, baby!
- Decent size with long arms. Rather quick.

Disadvantages:
- Relies mostly on a jumper, no slashing.
- Although he is a good ball handler he averages only about 2 assists a game. That's a little too selfish for a guard.
- Defensive skills not good enough to guard NBA PGs or SGs.

Overall he won't hurt, but I don't see him doing that much of an impact. More likely coming of the bench to shoot a trey or 2.

About Raptors logo

I was asked recently by Jared Wade from Both Teams Played Hard to write a little piece about Raptors logo. Here it is. Enjoy!

Jared is working on a all NBA teams logo rankings, which you can check here.

No Pops for Toronto

Pops Mensah-Bonsu won't be coming to Toronto. He reached a verbal agreement with Houston Rockets. This is yet to see if Amir Johnson will take his place around the rim and in the hearts of Raptors fans.

LeBron is making a documentary about himself. I think, I'd rather watch the new Final Destination movie.

Rumor: Marcus Banks to Dallas for Matt Carroll

Bryan Colangelo might be able to trade Marcus Banks? I think, I just swooned. Where's my beer? Hell, maybe even something with more percents today? There won't be a better occasion. Waiting for the rumors to come true, until I get hammered.

Raptors starting five

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you the Raptors all-Euro starting five?

Center - Rasho Nesterovic
Power Forward - Andrea Bargnani
Small Forward - Hedo Turkoglu
Shooting Guard - Marco Belinelli
Point Guard - Jose Calderon

Not the most formidable line-up, but they would certainly make helluva of a boys band.

Bryan Colangelo strikes again

While you were having summer vacation, sipping a lager and looking through the channels to find any sport that will help you survive next 70-odd days of basketball offseason, the master of Raptors was working hard. Last news is that pretty Carlos won't be buying his next mascara in Toronto, he comes here only to put his signature under the contract and pick up Roko Ukic before heading to Milwaukee. The Bucks decided to pay us for their services with Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems.

Basically, we're not giving up anything significant. Roko refused to improve during the summer, and Carlos Delfino wouldn't be with us anyways, as he didn't like the financial terms and we couldn't offer him more because of the shrinking salary cap. And even if there is nothing significant in Sonny Weems, we got the real plum in this cake in person of Amir Johnson. He improves our big boys rotation with his shot blocking and rebounding. And he is only 22, which gives us a better younger version of Reggie Evans without the testicle-play.

The trade is not done yet, as Amir Johnson cannot be traded in package till September 23rd. It might result in Raptors waiting till this date or doing two one-for-one trades. Anyways, Bryan Colangelo is doin' work.

I'm not all-ball!

Well, maybe I am. But it's not only basketball. While Quentin Richardson got traded for the 4th time this summer and Rick Pitino got his bill for an old abortion, I got hooked up with football and got an invitation to Heels in the Huddle. It's all football and all girls: Nat, Miss KJ & me. Check it out - it's fun!

Season in Waiting - Evaluating Rasho Nesterovic

Radoslav Nesterovic started his NBA career in 1998 as a Minnesota Timberwolf. He moved to San Antonio Spurs in 2004, where he served as a starting center and earned his first championship ring. Raptors got him for the first time in 2006 in trade for the Red Rocket Matt Bonner, Eric Williams and a second round draft pick. He didn't earn any chip with us, but he got his first 3-pointer. Raptors love their treys... After Matt Bonner's leaving the TTC also noted a huge decrease in the tickets sale, which resulted in their strike last winter.

After a year he was asked to give up his starting role to Andrea Bargnani. Surprisingly his numbers increased slightly and he gave a really solid bench performance. Sadly, we had to say goodbye in 2008, when he was packed with TJ Ford and sent to Indiana for Jermaine O'Neal. He spent there only a year, became a free agent and came back to Toronto.

Advantages:
- Doesn't settle for stupid jump-shots. Besides that buzzer-beating 3-pointer in 2008, doesn't really settle on treys. His 15-foot jumper is decent, though.
- Above average post defender and a decent backup center, doesn't bitch about starting, just makes his job.
- Very needed veteran presence in the locker room and the hardwood. And he's got a jewelery already, not as a 15th man in rotation, but as an actual starter. Shame we have no Tim Duncan to pair with him.

Disatvantages:
- Rather slow.
- Not as good a rebounder for a 7-foot center, seems to lack power sometimes.

Basically, he is not a starter for a team who lacks Tim Duncan as a starting power forward, but as a backup center he is a very good choice. He is also loved by Toronto fans. The only problem I see is that both our center seem to be allergic to rebound the ball. Maybe we should give them Zyrtec or other anti-allergic medicine before every game? Or pray that Bosh and Evans will have their arms outstretched for the ball to fall more often in their laps.

Life goes on even if you don't

Having a non-commercial just-for-fun blog has its advantages. On a plus side, you only write, when you have something to say. Well, this might be a little far-fetched, I usually don't have much to say, but there are these ideas, that wake me up in the middle of the night, how to make it look that I have so much interesting stuff to share. You also have some freedom in using f-bombs and don't have to be overly political correct, like for example Doug Smith. I like his blog, but in the age of Twitter, you want your news come quicker and some tough truths delivered to you exactly as they are, without sweetening them.

I haven't been writing for days, not because I was extremely busy. You bet I was doing some other things, like reading about my new discovered passion - Football, but it wasn't only stats I was pursuing. Another time-killer was re-watching True Blood, and reading Song of Ice and Fire for hundredth time.

But while I was facing difficult life choices between shirtless Terell Owens and soon-to-be-shirtless Eggs, NBA slowly was doing some noise anyways.

Rasual Butler became a newest LA Clipper in exchange for a pick. With the previous trading Tyson Chandler for Emeka Okafor, Hornets are obviously trying to reduce their way-to-big payroll. Sual became expendable as they have nearly exactly the same player in Morris Peterson, who might use some more playing time. Mo' Mo Pete - mo' fun. It also made me think of Raptors heaven, where New Orleans decided to trade Mo Pete instead of Sual and were happy to accept Marcus Banks and his toe in exchange. Wouldn't it be sweet?

Leon Powe proved that hard works doesn't always give you a nod from your employer and fat bonus to go with it. Celtics positively used him, ate, swallowed and spat away, which was caught by Cavaliers. Yes, he most probably won't play until the All Star break, but he will be there when it matters the most and hopefully make Celtics regret this decision. And I'm not a Cavs fan by any means. More, I believe their level of douchebaggery surpassed Celts this year and this is saying something.

Another hard worker who got the shorter end of the stick is David Lee. NY Knicks decided not to sign their best player and save the money for acquiring the full All Star team in 2010. Good luck with that, Knickerbockers! Because of his UFA status and not-so-small salary demands the other NBA teams are rather reluctant to offer him anything. On the other hand, how can you say that he demands too much if Andy Varejao got kazillion dollars? Who would you rather have?

Big Baby finally got his job offer from Celtics, after a long long waiting and (I bet) eating his stress out. He will also get extra buck or two for staying in shape. Weird, round is a shape, isn't it? Anyways, he can always get some tips from Eddy Curry who embraced a diet like a real warrior and is slashing pounds like there was no tomorrow.

Von Wafer and Linas Kleiza are moving to Greece. This also has a bitter taste to me, as I counted on Linas Kleiza in Raptors red... I'd take him over Carlos Delfino any day. Not that Delfino is any closer to signing with Raps then he was.

Rashard Lewis got caught cheating. Seriously? Mr Skinny taking roids? Dwight Howard was so touched by that, that he was actually found with his pants down, or so the Internets and Photoshop masters make you believe.

So did I actually have anything to say or did I just use this space to put TO's photo? Even if I did, I still refuse to see how this is different than male sports bloggers putting photos of cheerleaders or Megan Fox in their posts.

Season in Waiting - Evaluating Jarrett Jack

Jack's career started as a backup for Portland. After a year he earned a starting role just to give it back again in 2007-2008, the only season when his stats didn't improve. Moved to Indianapolis for 2008-09 season where he shared his starting role with TJ Ford, while the Raptors made a bet, that they can play with only one point guard. The bet was lost and after multiple death threats from angry Toronto fans, Bryan Colangelo decided, that maybe we will need another point guard.

The courtship with Jarrett Jack was rather quick. We used a best matchmaker in his old buddy Chris Bosh and waited for the Pacers to give their nod, so we can get to consummate the deal. Pacers decided their marriage with JJ was over, so our fresh new point guard grabbed his backpack, kissed goodbye his brokenhearted Indiana fans and joined the boys with a dinosaur logo. He belonged to us finally.

Advantages:
- Durability. With Jose's hammy kicking us in our collective balls (or basketballs) and the supporting backup point guard cast from the Basketball Neverland, we'd sure appreciate that.
- Can backup or start. On both guard positions. Versatility, baby!
- Leadership. Defense. Tough mentality and strong body. And this smile... Psst, it was supposed to be about basketball. Sorry about that.
- Will hang around Bosh's neck when he wants to leave us.

Disatvantages:
- Not a very good shooter.
- Low assist to turnover ratio, at around 2-1.
- He is shoot-first, ask-questions-later type of guard. He'll surely give you a few of this "NOOOO" shots once in a while.

If you consider the fact, that he lacks where Jose Calderon delivers, and answers where Calderon stays questionable, Jack seems to be an excellent addition to the team's point guard combo. Depending on how cleverly Jay Triano uses this double-headed asset, we can get a perfect blend of what we all love about point guards.

Seriousl-Yi?

Take your time and look at these 2 photos. What is the most prominent difference you can point between them? Clue: It's not the jerseys I'm talking about.



Bonus question:
How many female fertility pills does it take to create a sentence: 'Manny Ramirez will be proud of you, son'?

Season in Waiting - Evaluating DeMar DeRozan

Draft day. As a Raptor fan I had mixed feelings, excitement mixing with anxiety, hope with a shadow of fear - are we gonna screw this one up?
Hasheem Thabeet gone - uff!
Tyreke Evans gone - shame. I know BC wasn't interested in him, but still...
Jonny Flynn gone - I am a little sad. No, I am very sad. I love Jonny, Jonny loves Toronto...
Ricky Rubio gone - I am so fucking happy! How many times did I revisit the nightmare of us drafting him?
With number 9 in NBA Draft 2009 Toronto Raptors choose DeMar DeRozan from USC. Actually, I think, they said - Toronto 'Pack', which sounded more like Toronto 'Fuck' - any references to Raptors screwing up their pick or two in previous drafts? Well we didn't screw this up. At least I hope so. No surprises here actually. Why was I so anxious?

DeMar DeRozan, disputably the most athletic draftee this year, predicted to be anything between Joey Graham (save us, the Ghost of John Naismith) and Vince Carter (the dunking one, not the 'crying on the hardwood, demanding trade' one). So let us have a look what he brings to the table.

Advantages:
- Eye-opening athleticism. Vertical leap. Quickness and strength.
- Pretty mid-range jumper.
- Nice effort on defensive end.
- Decent rebounder.

Disatvantages:
- Doesn't look to dominate, lacks the killer instinct.
- Weak 3-pointer. Not very good from the charity stripe either.
- Ball-handling needs working on.
- Not a playmaker.

There is also the magical word 'potential'. Although overused, overwritten and over-whatever, anytime you discuss young players, I have to mention it. This word was invented for players like DeMar. The problem is that I don't know which column I should put it in. Basically, he is very raw still. Question remains if he's gonna explode into superstar or be an endless 'potential'... Yeah, Joey Graham again...

I am not a basketball expert by any means, so it's rather difficult for me to predict, how good DeRozan can be, let's say, in three years. For now, he is not a starter material yet. I'd have him coming from the bench and slightly extending his minutes. Maybe put him as a starter after All Star break, maybe in next season. Have him train his ball handling and shot. And hope he is all we expect and more.

Season in Waiting - Evaluating Hedo Turkoglu

The biggest signing this offseason, with a fresh experience of playing in NBA finals, coming to Toronto willingly - ladies and gentlemen, may I present you Hedo Turkoglu? Drafted in 2000 by Sacramento Kings, first Turkish-born player in NBA history, being in consideration for 6th man of the year in his sophomore season and traded to San Antonio Spurs in 2003. But his real career started in 2004 with Orlando Magic, where he earned the Most Improved Player award for 2007-08 season and visited NBA Finals in 2009.

The fact, the he left Magic, abandoned Blazers and came willingly to Toronto, was certainly jaw-dropping. It's not 'Harry Potter' we're talking about, so there was no Imperius course involved, even if his previous team was called Magic... Although, you can see the female's fingertips left allover this transaction. Banu Turkoglu chose Toronto and Hedo listened to the voice of 'reason'.

Advantages:
- He can dribble, create, shoot and pass the ball. How often did you see that on Raptors?
- NBA finals experience.
- If there is not a clutch shot, there will certainly be a clutch assist from him.
- Good court vision and ability to find an open teammate. Very good decision making.
- Durability. He played 73, 82, 77 games in last 3 seasons. Started all of them, and played above 30 minutes per game. Nearly 37 in last 2 seasons.

Disadvantages:
- He just hit 30 years. In the end of his contract he will be 35, cashing about 10 mln for a year. That shouldn't be that much of a concern, knowing he doesn't depend on athleticism.
- Not much defense. Not that Raptors ever put the defense as their top priority.
- Now, when he secured a 5-year contract, he might just 'take it easy' and don't put much effort. This is the risk you are willing to take everytime you sign a free agent for a long contract.

Personally, I think it was a great signing. We got a legit point-forward, and a player who was a an important part of Magic deep playoffs run this year. Just thinking about the pick-and-rolls involving Hedo and Bargnani makes me excited. Shame, I have to wait till October.

NBA schedule release, time to work out mine

Good news: NBA schedule has been released. Bad news: home opener is against LeBron. Even if we win (suuuuuure), he'll never acknowledge it, by shaking Chris Bosh's hand. Good news: hubby actually wants to buy us tickets for this game. Bad news: there's no 'mute' button attached to my hubby, in case he starts talking about Real Estate during some crazy action...

I took time off basketball so seriously, that the news about schedule release caught me (really!) listening to Mozart and reading a Philip K. Dick novel. Yes, it is that bad! Although, now I'm planning to finish my evaluation of Raps roster and maybe do some teams previews. I want to complete the BlogRoll also. If you have any team blogs, you want to recommend it, put the link in comments, or hit me on Twitter, please.

Another idea, suggested by @Nat77 is to blog about football. That might make my blog a little off-topic from time to time, providing I'm be capable of figuring out what these funnily dressed NFL dudes are actually doing. Wish me luck.