By: Stephen Patterson
Showing posts with label Toronto Raptors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toronto Raptors. Show all posts
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A Look Back: Full Video Of 2011 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
By: Stephen Patterson
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
A Look Back: Mo Pete's Amazing Shot Against The Wizards
By: Tyler Ward
While looking up crazy and difficult shots on Youtube, I remembered Morris Peterson's amazing shot against the Wizards.
With the Wizards up 109-106, Anthony Parker threw the ball as far as he could, but was deflected by Michael Ruffin.
Ruffin, a career back-up, tried to run out the clock by throwing the ball straight up in the air. Instead, it didn't go as far as he thought and Mo Pete caught the ball and launched it towards the rim.
And somehow, it went in. The game was sent into overtime.
The shot gave the Raptors momentum and they went on to the game 123-118.
So, with that being said, here ya go:
While looking up crazy and difficult shots on Youtube, I remembered Morris Peterson's amazing shot against the Wizards.
With the Wizards up 109-106, Anthony Parker threw the ball as far as he could, but was deflected by Michael Ruffin.
Ruffin, a career back-up, tried to run out the clock by throwing the ball straight up in the air. Instead, it didn't go as far as he thought and Mo Pete caught the ball and launched it towards the rim.
And somehow, it went in. The game was sent into overtime.
The shot gave the Raptors momentum and they went on to the game 123-118.
So, with that being said, here ya go:
Friday, February 18, 2011
NBA 2011 All-Star Weekend: Previews & Predictions For All Of The Festivities
By: Stephen Patterson
The NBA's annual All-Star blast is heading to its' biggest stage this season, and it will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this weekend.
Before this season, most people around the country would have gotten mental images of Kobe Bryant or his Los Angeles Lakers if you mentioned the Staples Center, however, this season there's another show in town (and I don't mean the All-Star game).
That show goes by a few names, but the most popular one seems to be the "BlakeShow", and his talents and skill set will be on full display this weekend during the All-Star festivities.
Not only will he participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition, but Blake Griffin will also appear in the Rookie-Sophomore game as well as the main event, the All-Star game itself.
This slideshow will give previews and predictions for all of the big events this weekend in Los Angeles. Just a tip, be prepared to witness the nationwide breakout of the BlakeShow.
Note: For a full list of participants for the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and the All-Star Game, visit this site: http://www.espn.go.com/nba/allstargame
Before this season, most people around the country would have gotten mental images of Kobe Bryant or his Los Angeles Lakers if you mentioned the Staples Center, however, this season there's another show in town (and I don't mean the All-Star game).
Not only will he participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition, but Blake Griffin will also appear in the Rookie-Sophomore game as well as the main event, the All-Star game itself.
This slideshow will give previews and predictions for all of the big events this weekend in Los Angeles. Just a tip, be prepared to witness the nationwide breakout of the BlakeShow.
Note: For a full list of participants for the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and the All-Star Game, visit this site: http://www.espn.go.com/nba/allstargame
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
Participants: Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Predicted Winner: Blake Griffin
If you have watched 'SportsCenter' at some point this season, or happened to catch a Clippers game, you probably know why Griffin has to be considered the clear-cut favorite in this event. He has lit-up almost every opponent the Clippers have faced this season with electric dunks, and I believe he will have a few extra-special dunks in store for this event.
This contest has the potential to be the most entertaining one since the 2000 Dunk Contest, which Vince Carter turned into a career-defining performance. While Griffin likely won't top Carter's performance from that contest, there is a decent chance he will have the most entertaining array of dunks since.
DeRozan would be my dark, dark horse pick in the event, although I don't think anyone will even realize Griffin had competition after the contest is finished. I would be stunned if anyone other than Griffin won this year's event.
Predicted Winner: Blake Griffin
If you have watched 'SportsCenter' at some point this season, or happened to catch a Clippers game, you probably know why Griffin has to be considered the clear-cut favorite in this event. He has lit-up almost every opponent the Clippers have faced this season with electric dunks, and I believe he will have a few extra-special dunks in store for this event.
This contest has the potential to be the most entertaining one since the 2000 Dunk Contest, which Vince Carter turned into a career-defining performance. While Griffin likely won't top Carter's performance from that contest, there is a decent chance he will have the most entertaining array of dunks since.
DeRozan would be my dark, dark horse pick in the event, although I don't think anyone will even realize Griffin had competition after the contest is finished. I would be stunned if anyone other than Griffin won this year's event.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Chandler Not To Toronto After All
By: Tyler Ward
It was pretty much a done deal yesterday, but Michael Jordan and the Bobcats had a different plan at the last second. Instead of trading Chandler to Toronto, they sent him and Alexis Ajinca to Dallas in exchange for Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, and journeyman Eduardo Najera.
Sources told ESPN that there were two major decisions that affected the fallout of the Toronto deal - 1) Head Coach Larry Brown was not in favor of the deal and 2) Calderon's contract has a 10% trade bonus in his contract, which would give him somewhere around $30 million over the next three years.
The Mavericks finally get rid of Dampier's humongous contract with about $13 million left that is set to expire after this season. Dampier barely contributed anything to Dallas after signing a 7-year/$73 million contract with them in 2004. The remaining year on his contract is considered valuable because Charlotte (or any other team he got traded to) could cut him before the season starts and instantly wipe the remaining $13 million off the slate. Bobcats GM Rod Higgins said earlier today, "You have to consider that contract is probably one of the most valuable contracts in the league. The flexibility is the beautiful part of having Erick's deal, maybe not so much for Erick himself as a player, but for the franchise itself."
Since they backed out on the trade to Toronto, the Bobcats are still in need of a point guard, after letting Raymond Felton walk to New York. The only point guard on their roster is D.J. Augustin and he really isn't the starter they are looking for right now. Charlotte has expressed interest in Minnesota's Ramon Sessions to help at the one-guard position. Sessions' exit is almost certain, as the Timberwolves are close to signing Luke Ridnour to back-up last year's draft pick, Jonny Flynn.
With this trade, the Mavericks add another big man to their already big frontcourt. He joins the recently re-signed Brendan Haywood and franchise leader Dirk Nowitzki to help form a solid combination.
Chandler, 27, had his best year in the 07-08 season, where he averaged 11.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
Dallas has also expressed interest in signing forward Al Harrington, and they would be expected to sign him to a two-year contract worth the mid level exception, $5.8 million per season. New Jersey and Denver have also shown interest in Harrington, so the Mavericks will have some competition. Dallas has listed Harrington as "1A" on their list.
Monday, July 12, 2010
NBA's Weekend Roundup - July 12, 2010
By: Tyler Ward
The tail end of the weekend was a rather boring one, as it was very uneventful in the NBA. It was expected to be an exciting, busy weekend, as the "Miami Thrice" was officially born on Thursday, along with many other trades and signings. However, it was not the case and we lived a rather dull weekend.
Good thing the weekend's over. It seemed to be a very interesting day since it struck midnight, and for that we are very thankful as the subject matter was decreasing heavily. Well, enough of the chit-chat, let's recap what has happened in the NBA the last few days.
- Toronto trades Hedo Turkoglu to Phoenix for G Leandro Barbosa; Charlotte trades C Tyson Chandler & F Boris Diaw to Toronto for PG Jose Calderon & PF Reggie Evans
As reported late Sunday night, there was a mega deal that no one really expected - it just came out of the blue. The trade included six players, with Charlotte seemingly coming out the worst. Toronto's GM, Bryan Colangelo, acquired two players that he had on the Suns when he was their GM a few years back.
Toronto received swingman Leandro Barbosa, center Tyson Chandler, and role player Boris Diaw in the trade. Chandler immediately brings back a height advantage that Toronto originally lost in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade. He has had a history of injuries lately and he will have to steer clear of health issues if Toronto wants to get the better end of the deal. Chandler has also never played a full 82 game season in his nine-year career. His best year came in the 2007-08 season where he averaged 11.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game (the only season he has averaged more than 10 points per game in a season).
He will more than likely immediately become the other half of the frontcourt, along with 2006 #1 pick, Andrea Bargnani. The Raptors would then have both starting frontcourt players standing at 7'0" tall or higher.
Chandler was chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 2nd overall pick in the 2001 draft (his draft rights were traded to the Chicago Bulls). He spent five seasons with Chicago before being acquired by the New Orleans Hornets. Before the 2009-10 season, he was dealt to Charlotte for another former 2nd overall pick, Emeka Okafor. His Charlotte stint was short lived and injury plagued, as Chandler only played in 51 games, starting 27 of them. Now, he will be on his fourth team and maybe, he can live up to the hype that surrounded him prior to the 2001 draft. He has career averages of 8.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
The Raptors also acquired Barbosa from the Suns, which is my favorite part of the deal. Barbosa automatically brings great athleticism and a fearless spark off the bench. Primarily being a shooting guard, he will compete with ex-USC star Demar Derozan for playing time. He has not had signficant starting time in his career and has only had 109 starts out of a possible 466 games. Barbosa will probably be utilized off the bench and Derozan will be handed the starting job. This will be Barbosa's first season with a different team, as he had spent his entire career with Phoenix before the trade (actually drafted by the Spurs, but his draft rights were traded to Phoenix).
However, he will have to make sure he is healthy for this season - since he was drafted, he had been rather healthy, but only played in 44 games last season, the fewest of his career. If Barbosa stays healthy for the majority part of the season, Toronto wins in the trade, no doubt in my mind.
In the 2006-07 season, Barbosa had a memorable season as he won the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Since the award started being handed out in the 1982-83 season, he became the fourth Sun to claim the title after Eddie Johnson, Rodney Rogers, and Danny Manning. Throughout his career, he has averaged 12.6 points per game.
The Raptors weren't even done there. They also acquired frenchman Boris Diaw in the deal, too. Since they traded Hedo Turkoglu, Diaw will probably be penciled in as the starting small forward. He is considered by some to be a tall forward, standing at 6'8" and will have a height advantage over other small forwards in the Eastern Conference.
Diaw had spent the last one and a half seasons with Charlotte, after being acquired from the Suns in 2008. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2003 draft with the 21 overall pick. Toronto will be his fourth team after making stops in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Charlotte. He has career averages of 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
Phoenix acquired unhappy forward Hedo Turkoglu in the deal. After spurning the Blazers last summer, he signed with Toronto for a 5-year/$53 million contract. He expressed his displeasure with Toronto and immediately regretted his decision during the regular season.
He got such a high-dollar deal because he did so well in the playoffs with Orlando, helping them get to the NBA Finals for the first time since the mind 1990's. Before Orlando, his performances were lackluster and he didn't really provide help for championship contenders like San Antonio and Sacramento (the Webber/Stojakovic days).
However, this helps Phoenix because he will be chosen as their starting power forward after Amare Stoudemire left for New York earlier this month. Throughout his time in the NBA, he had been primarily used as a small forward, but standing at 6'10", he can also play power forward. With the re-signing of Channing Frye and the signings of Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress, they have had a pretty decent offseason - perhaps the best a team could have after losing such a player like Stoudemire. The Suns are also likely to lose popular forward Louis Amundson to free agency so getting Turkoglu is a good decision.
Turkoglu had a horrible season and he certainly didn't live up to the $9+ million he was scheduled to make last season. He averaged an uninspired 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 rebounds, which was his worst season since 2003-04, statistically (maybe you should lay off the cigarettes, Hedo). The ex-Raptor is poised to do better this season and the Suns can only hope he does.
Michael Jordan and the Bobcats also received a little something out of this deal, too. The Raptors traded late-season choker Jose Calderon to Charlotte, along with high-paid forward Reggie Evans. On paper, it looks like the Bobcats got the worst part of the deal, taking on two very high paid players.
Calderon is a decent player, but he contributed to the Raptors' late season collapse and they missed out on the playoffs yet again. However, they needed to acquire a point guard because they let Raymond Felton walk to the New York Knicks last week. They had only one point guard on under contract, which was D.J. Augustin. Augustin hasn't really started in his career, so Calderon will likely be the starting point guard for the Bobcats next season. Calderon has averaged 9.8 points and 6.6 assists per game in five seasons with the Raptors.
The Reggie Evans part of the deal is meaningless. Evans, overpaid, will probably not get valuable playing time when he will be competing against DeSagana Diop, Nazr Mohammad, Derrick Brown, and Alexis Ajinca in a crowded frontcourt. He is scheduled to make roughly $5 million this season.
- Atlanta trades SF Josh Childress to Phoenix for a 2012 2nd round pick (Childress will sign a five year contract worth approximately $34 million)
The Hawks have agreed in principle to trade Josh Childress for a conditional 2nd round pick. Childress is expected to sign a five-year deal with Phoenix after the trade becomes official.
This is a great deal for Phoenix because this gives them a serviceable small forward that can be a starter or a bench player. He was one of the best free agents left on the board, but was grabbed up in a trade that was virually one-sided.
Childress had spent the last two seasons overseas with the Greece Team, Olympiakos Piraerus. He was offered a 5-year/$33 million contract by Atlanta in 2008, but instead, he went overseas on a three year deal woth $20 million. Even though Atlanta's offer consisted of more money, he had the ability to make even more money in Europe by signing a Nike contract. He was very incontent and decided to play overseas because he the Hawks teams he played on were anything, but spectacular. In his first year of Euroleague play, he averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
This trades adds to a deep Suns bench that includes Childress, playoff hero Goran Dragic, Jared Dudley, Hakim Warrick, and Channing Frye, they are poised to have a deep 10-man rotation. The Suns are hoping that they can do even better than last year when they lost in six games to the eventual champion, Los Angeles Lakers.
The Hawks chose Childress with the 6th overall pick in the 2004 draft. He has averaged 11.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game.
- Orlando signs SF Quentin Richardson to a multi-year contract
The Magic reportedly brought in sharpshooter Quentin Richardson, which inevitably means they will not re-sign defensive specialist Matt Barnes. This was a good deal for the Magic because they needed another good shooter in case they lose out on re-signing J.J. Redick.
Orlando will use their one remaining mid-level exception to sign Richardson - however, all but $2.1 million is supposed to go to recent addition, Chris Duhon. Terms have not been fully disclosed, but it is more than likely a two year deal similar to the one Jermaine O'Neal received from the Celtics last week.
This could also be one of Richardson's final stops. He was traded four times last offseason, with the last trade sending him to the Miami Heat. Miami decided not to re-sign Richardson and he would be on a different team again.
Richardson stayed relatively healthy for the Heat last season, starting 75 out of a possible 82 game schedule. He shot a career-best 39.7% beyond the arc and also leading the team in that category. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
- New Jersey signs PG Jordan Farmar to a 3-year/$12 million contract
The Nets continued to wheel-and-deal with their third signing since late last week - Johan Petro and Anthony Morrow were the other two.
Farmar is brought in to immediately back-up young guard Devin Harris. Farmar, who had spent his entire career with the Lakers, leaves behind a franchise where he won two championships. The Nets are hoping he can bring that championship pedigree to the Nets and bring them back to the playoffs. After losing out on LeBron James in free agency, they have made somewhat of a splash in the market since Thursday. Their team has gotten significantly better with the acquisitions of Farmar and Morrow, along with draft picks Derrick Favors and Damion James.
Farmar will bring in quality minutes and great shooting off the bench, which the Nets needed with their 12-70 record last season. He was chosen 26th overall by the Lakers in the 2006 draft. Farmar has only started 2 out of the 301 games he's played, so he doesn't have much starting experience. He has averaged 6.9 points per game throughout his career.
- Miami re-signs PF Udonis Haslem to a 5-year/$20 million contract
ESPN reported today that Udonis Haslem would take less money to come back and play for the Heat. He had received two 5 year/$34 million offers, coming from the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. Haslem took significantly less money to stay with an immediate championship contender (Can you blame him?)
He had drawn interests from multiple teams around the league, but he did the smart thing and stayed in Miami. Before the signing, the Heat were thin in the frontcourt with only two players under contract next season (rookies Dexter Pittman & Jarvis Varnardo). This also provides Chris Bosh with a great energy guy as a back-up when he isn't on the court for the 10-15 minutes he usually misses.Dwyane Wade is still united with Haslem, as they both came into the league in 2003. This brings a little bit more chemistry to the Heat's rotation because Wade and Haslem have played together so much. Although he is considered "short" to play at power forward, he still brings in a big body that can battle with the other offensive forces in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat still aren't done. They have already made several great moves in free agency this year and this is still in the top tier because they needed a power forward so badly. Miami also announced today that they officially signed swingman Mike Miller to a contract, so it looks like the Heat are definite championship contenders this year.
- Los Angeles Lakers re-sign PG Derek Fisher to a contract
ESPN also reported today that playoff hero Derek Fisher will come back to the Los Angeles Lakers. After getting a great offer by the Heat, Fisher decided that he will go back to Los Angeles in hopes of winning his third straight championship. Terms of the deal have not been fully disclosed.
Fisher announced on his website that he would re-sign with L.A. and named Kobe Bryant in particular as the reason he would come back.
He wrote on his site, "At the end of the day, there’s one person I could not turn away from. Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts. We have won five championships together. I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles. While this may not be the most lucrative contract I’ve been offered this off season, it is the most valuable. I am confident I will continue to lead this team on and off the court. Let the hunt for six begin…"
The Lakers specifically needed Fisher to come back after Jordan Farmar signed with the Nets on Monday, too. They were incrdibly thin and their lone point guard was recent signee, Steve Blake.
Suns Add Childress, Turkoglu
By: Stephen Patterson
The Phoenix Suns will acquire Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu in separate trades according to the Arizona Republic. The Suns sent a 2012 second round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Childress, who spent last season in Greece. Phoenix is expected to sign him to a deal in the neighborhood of 5-years/$30 million. The Suns traded Leandro Barbosa to the Toronto Raptors for Turkoglu.
Turkoglu could be the team's starting power forward in place of Amare Stoudemire, who signed with the Knicks last week. This move would allow fellow new addition Hakim Warrick to come off the bench. Turkoglu had a turbulent season with the Raptors last season, and it was widely believed Toronto would attempt to move him during the summer. If Turkoglu can play to his potential, he can be a very productive scorer. I expect he return to his previous form with the change of scenery, and while he may not be Amare, he's still a quality starter.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wade and Bosh To Miami
By: Stephen Patterson
While cities such New York and Chicago are scrambling to land LeBron, they missed out on the next two biggest targets. Each city talked to Wade and Bosh about joining their franchises, but it's been clear all along that they wanted LeBron more than anything. Pat Riley now has two of three pieces he wanted to put together his Dream Team, and tomorrow night, he may land his last guy.
With the duo going to the Heat, LeBron is going to have to take another look at his options. I think Chicago is all but eliminated from contention at this point, considering they missed out on pretty much everyone they had targeted to pair with James. New York is still alive because they already struck and landed Amare Stoudemire, but I've never thought the Knicks were at the top of his wish list. Cleveland has no chance of landing Bosh now, and unless they can make a massive move in the next 24 hours, I don't see LeBron going back there either.
I think this narrows his choices to Miami and New York. The main thing is whether or not he wants to play with Wade and Bosh. Because they are already set to go to the Heat, James now has complete control over the Dream Team possibilities in Miami. The Knicks landed a superstar in Stoudemire and that may be enough to bring LeBron to New York, but they would need to sign one or two quality role players to help their cause. Personally, I've thought since the beginning of free agency that all three players would end up with the Heat, and I'm standing by that feeling now, especially since they are two-thirds of the way there.
There will be more coverage and updates on this situation and LeBron's possible destination here on the site over the next 36 hours.
South Beach just got a little hotter. While LeBron James waits to announce his decision tomorrow, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat. Wade returns to the team he's been with since he was drafted and has already won a championship with. Bosh is leaving the Toronto Raptors, who never even made it out of the first round of the playoffs during his tenure, to join Wade and the Heat. The duo will instantly become one of the most exciting duos in the league, and with the right supporting cast, they could be winning a few titles in the near future.
While cities such New York and Chicago are scrambling to land LeBron, they missed out on the next two biggest targets. Each city talked to Wade and Bosh about joining their franchises, but it's been clear all along that they wanted LeBron more than anything. Pat Riley now has two of three pieces he wanted to put together his Dream Team, and tomorrow night, he may land his last guy.
With the duo going to the Heat, LeBron is going to have to take another look at his options. I think Chicago is all but eliminated from contention at this point, considering they missed out on pretty much everyone they had targeted to pair with James. New York is still alive because they already struck and landed Amare Stoudemire, but I've never thought the Knicks were at the top of his wish list. Cleveland has no chance of landing Bosh now, and unless they can make a massive move in the next 24 hours, I don't see LeBron going back there either.
I think this narrows his choices to Miami and New York. The main thing is whether or not he wants to play with Wade and Bosh. Because they are already set to go to the Heat, James now has complete control over the Dream Team possibilities in Miami. The Knicks landed a superstar in Stoudemire and that may be enough to bring LeBron to New York, but they would need to sign one or two quality role players to help their cause. Personally, I've thought since the beginning of free agency that all three players would end up with the Heat, and I'm standing by that feeling now, especially since they are two-thirds of the way there.
There will be more coverage and updates on this situation and LeBron's possible destination here on the site over the next 36 hours.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Raptors OK With Dealing Bosh To Cavs
By: Stephen Patterson
Although the Toronto Raptors were reportedly losing interest in finding a trade partner in an effort to get something in return for Bosh's departure, sources now claim they may be interested in moving him to Cleveland. The Cavaliers have more to offer than most teams trying to sign Bosh and Toronto could actually pick up some pieces while the Cavs land a superstar to pair with LeBron.
The Cavs could offer players such as J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao, and Delonte West to the Raptors in return for Bosh. It has become even more apparent since free agency began that Bosh has zero intent on staying with the Raptors and is definitely on his way out. He is content to follow LeBron anywhere he signs because he obviously desires to take the Pau Gasol approach to winning a title (riding coattails while doing enough not to look bad doing it).
Although the Toronto Raptors were reportedly losing interest in finding a trade partner in an effort to get something in return for Bosh's departure, sources now claim they may be interested in moving him to Cleveland. The Cavaliers have more to offer than most teams trying to sign Bosh and Toronto could actually pick up some pieces while the Cavs land a superstar to pair with LeBron.
The Cavs could offer players such as J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao, and Delonte West to the Raptors in return for Bosh. It has become even more apparent since free agency began that Bosh has zero intent on staying with the Raptors and is definitely on his way out. He is content to follow LeBron anywhere he signs because he obviously desires to take the Pau Gasol approach to winning a title (riding coattails while doing enough not to look bad doing it).Bosh will be a solid addition where ever he lands. He provided the Raptors with 25 points per contest last season and will likely bring the same amount of offensive energy to his new team. If he does indeed play with LeBron next season, look out for a nightly highlight reel of insane dunks during their games. Whichever city lands this duo definitely won't have problems putting fans in the seats for the foreseeable future.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Raptors Unhappy With Chris Bosh
By: Tyler Ward
Well, the Raptors may have officially moved on without their franchise player, Chris Bosh. Toronto has expressed displeasure in Bosh and the way he has conducted his free agency decisions.
With Toronto losing interest, it will become harder for them to pull the trigger on a sign-and-trade deal. The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Cleveland Cavaliers have all submitted proposals to the Raptors, but none of the offers have excited Toronto. So, Bosh may be on his own for the rest of free agency because as the days wear on, the Raptors are becoming more and more mad at Bosh.
The Raptors brass have become displeased with Bosh's Twitter account. Leading up to free agency, Bosh wrote on his Twitter about his soon-to-be visits. The Raptors' change of heart can perhaps damage Bosh's chances of landing somewhere that can offer him a max contract like the Clippers, Bulls, Heat, Nets, and Knicks.
Bosh and his agent, Henry Thomas, have met with Houston, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Miami, and New Jersey over the last three days. Although Bosh hasn't said that he is officially gone, it is almost guaranteed that he will not be in a Raptors uniform next season.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Change Of Heart?
By: Stephen Patterson
After a post Chris Bosh made on his Twitter account last night, it seems he may have had a change of heart. While there is confirmation the destination has been decided, it seems clear Wade and Bosh either have plans of teaming up James or they really like messing with their fans. In this picture Bosh posted, Wade and Bosh are in a restaurant with an empty chair between, alluding to someone missing in Bosh's post. The missing chair is obviously a reference to fellow free agent LeBron James not being in the picture. While Chris Bosh said earlier in the week he didn't see it likely the trio would player together this season, it seems maybe he has changed his mind with this update.
After a post Chris Bosh made on his Twitter account last night, it seems he may have had a change of heart. While there is confirmation the destination has been decided, it seems clear Wade and Bosh either have plans of teaming up James or they really like messing with their fans. In this picture Bosh posted, Wade and Bosh are in a restaurant with an empty chair between, alluding to someone missing in Bosh's post. The missing chair is obviously a reference to fellow free agent LeBron James not being in the picture. While Chris Bosh said earlier in the week he didn't see it likely the trio would player together this season, it seems maybe he has changed his mind with this update.There were rumors earlier in the week suggesting all three players had agreed to go to Miami and potentially forming an NBA Dream Team. While the picture really doesn't reference a specific city, the picture clearly implies the players indeed do have plans to play together. With Bosh saying "it feels like someone is missing..." and posting this picture, it seems the trio may be teaming up after all. The only question that remains is where? With Chicago and Miami appearing to be the most likely destinations for the three players to land, it now becomes even bigger of a race to land James. Based on this picture and Bosh's statement, it seems both players are very interested in the idea of playing alongside LeBron and following his lead when he makes his decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
