sportscentr: seankeane: Ben Roethlispoodle.
Shaq is now unvictorious in “Shaq Vs.” including a 1st episode loss, to Ben.
TS: Jays win huge, 18-10 in Texas. Lind has career night:
1st MLB Grand Slam, Solo HR, 8 RBI, 3-5
TS: Other notables to round out the rotation: Chauncey Billups, Anthony Parker, Morris Peterson, Charles Oakley. I think it’s safe to say, after this season the favourites will expand to include players such as: Hedo Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, and Jarret Jack.
“Most star players don’t leave, so the fact that only 5.8 percent of our panelists expect Bosh to stay in Toronto is telling, in one of two ways: Either our collective wisdom is seriously off-kilter, or we are correctly reading Bosh’s signals that he’s outta there.
Raptors fans had to be heartened by the enthusiasm Bosh showed when Toronto honcho Bryan Colangelo made his big moves this summer, particularly the acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu, and hopes are high for the kind of Orlando-like success that could convince Bosh that his fortunes lie in Toronto. And speaking of fortunes, let’s not forget that the Raptors can offer Bosh much more than other teams can.
That said, reports from behind the scenes have led many to believe that Bosh wants to leave and, in particular, that he wants to join up with James if possible. And Bosh’s public stance hasn’t inspired much confidence in his desire to wear Raptors red beyond this coming season, either, as he has expressed little passion about staying and has eschewed any attempts to get his autograph on a contract extension.
This much we know: A lot can happen between now and next summer to influence Bosh and the rest of the potential 2010 free agents. But our best guess right now is that Bosh is heading south. Sorry, Canada.”
Royce Webb/ESPN.com
24seconds: FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Men Photo
Canada fell to 2-2 on the tournament with a loss to Peurto Rico yesterday, advancing to play Argentina tomorrow.
TS: The loses pile up for Romero and the Jays, loosing to Boston 3-2 last night. Right about now I’m looking to a fresh start in 2010, healthy rotation, quality young players, with or without Halladay. Romero for ROTY, Hill for an extension.
TS: Would not mind seeing Canada come out of this tournament with a spot in Turkey 2010!
“Just the opportunity is encouraging on its own,” Snider said on his seventh day back after what seemed like a lifetime in Triple-A Las Vegas. “But when you start to see results, you just try to build off of them and continue to get better every day. You just try and stay patient. Some at-bats you’re going to get it. Other at-bats you’re not.”
In what is now a waiting game, for the 2009-10 season to approach, after a flurry of offseason moves:
One - July 10, 2009
Traded forwards Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, center Nathan Jawai and cash considerations to the Dallas Mavericks; acquired forwards Devean George and Antoine Wright from Dallas and forward Hedu Turkoglu from the Orlando Magic; sent cash considerations to Orlando and a 2016 second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a four-team deal; signed foward DeMar DeRozan.
TS: This sign-and trade, and sign will go into the rotation of best transaction of the 2009 offseason. Landing the biggest free agent, while trading away a seemingly unwanted player, and satisfying all parties - the Raptors and Magic still had room for movement after this deal. Brilliance.
Two- March 1, 2006
Named Bryan Colangelo president and general manager.
TS: Changed the front office attitude completely, by bringing in a reputable name - enhanced the basketball ‘iq’ in a way past Raptors’ GMs could only dream of.
Three- July 9, 2003
Signed forward Chris Bosh.
TS: The teams new star player, replacement for the one who struggled on his way out (Carter).
Four - July 23, 2008
Promoted Maurizio Gherardini to senior vice president of basketball operations, Marc Eversley to assistant general manager of player development, Masai Ujiri to assistant general manager of player personnel, Jim Kelly to senior director of player personnel, Steve Fruitman to senior director of basketball administration and Micah Nori to director of NBA scouting.
TS: This front office overhaul paved the way to an Atlantic Division championship, and later, Fruitman’s accounting led to the trade of 2009: Turkoglu.
Five - February 14, 2009
Acquired forward Shawn Marion, guard Marcus Banks and cash from the Miami Heat for forward-center Jermaine O’Neal, forward Jamario Moon and a conditional draft pick.
TS: The team’s chemistry was hurting bad, Bosh/Bargnani and O’Neal could not coexist, not going as planned, the team dumped the massive salary of the multi-year All-Star for Marion: a player who could run. The Raptors implemented this style, and after some tweaks, wnet all out to finish the 2008-09 season strong.
What others should be notables?
T.Chisholm: What’s your baseline for success this year?
J.Triano: I don’t have a number, but we have to make the Playoffs. In my mind we have to. I’m too competitive. You have to make the Playoffs and then you have to make a run because so much can happen in the Playoffs, you get a bad matchup or whatever, but we’ve got to make the Playoffs and we’ve got to make a run.
”Toronto Sports Blog
written by: Kenneth Bache
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