About 30 minutes ago, Chris Bosh posted on twitter the following:
"We got Hedo! Next season's gonna be a lot of fun"
This is a welcome change of tone from CB4, its nice to hear something optimistic about Toronto from our franchise player. Will Hedo Turkoglu help keep CB4 north of the border?
Also from Bosh's Twitter:
"I hope Hedo signs with us"
"IF IT'S TRUE..Let's get it cracking H Turk!!!"
Even DeMar DeRozan is excited (so excited he can't even spell!):
"Is Hudo really coming to T Dot? Really hope so!"
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Hedo Lands In Toronto
According to various sources, Hedo Turkoglu has signed a 5 year deal worth 53 million dollars. He was apparently going to sign with Portland, but something soured that deal. The addition of Hedo adds both wing depth and talent to our most uncertain position, and adds another country to the growing United Nations that is the Toronto Raptors.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Raptors Set Sight On Kleiza
According to the Toronto Star, the Raptors are now focusing their attention on forward Linas Kleiza, as apparently the Raptors have fallen out of the running for Hedo Turkoglu and Charlie Villanueva has been swooped up by the Pistons.
Kleiza, 24, averaged 9.9 points per game and 4 rebounds per game last season while backing up Carmelo Anthony.
Kleiza, 24, averaged 9.9 points per game and 4 rebounds per game last season while backing up Carmelo Anthony.
Raps Tender Offer To Turkoglu
The Raptors are apparently preparing to offer former Orlando Magician, Hedo Turkoglu. How much, you ask? BC is offering 60 million over 5 years for the Mike Jordan of Turkey, overpowering the Portland Trailblazers offer of 50 mill over the same time span.
Turkoglu, 30, found his niche while playing with Orlando (and against the Raps). In his best season with the Magic (2007-2008), Hedo put up 19.5 points, 5 assists, and 5.7 boards. If he were to sign the deal, the Raps would have Hedo until he is 35. The lady Turkoglu is also said to have an affinity for Toronto.
No other Raptor offers to free agents have been made public yet.
Turkoglu, 30, found his niche while playing with Orlando (and against the Raps). In his best season with the Magic (2007-2008), Hedo put up 19.5 points, 5 assists, and 5.7 boards. If he were to sign the deal, the Raps would have Hedo until he is 35. The lady Turkoglu is also said to have an affinity for Toronto.
No other Raptor offers to free agents have been made public yet.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Raptors Extend Qualifying Offer To Pops
Today the Raptors extended a qualifying offer to Toronto's favourite hyphenated name, Pops Mensah-Bonsu Possum's Phone Ban. Financial details were not disclosed, however the offer keeps Pops Mensah-Bonsu Possum's Phone Ban from becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 19 games with the Raptors. He won over Raptor fans with hustle, intensity, and a new tongue twister for when they're bored.
Pops gave Raptors basketball a bite (I'm sorry).
Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 19 games with the Raptors. He won over Raptor fans with hustle, intensity, and a new tongue twister for when they're bored.
Pops gave Raptors basketball a bite (I'm sorry).
Friday, June 26, 2009
DeMar's Blog
The newest Raptor's blog is up and running. You can find it here.
Wow its been a busy day following DeMar.
Wow its been a busy day following DeMar.
DeRozan Fever!
Want to be one step away from stalking the newest Raptor? Well luckily for you, Twitter has made your dream a reality! You can follow number 9 pick DeMar DeRozan at https://twitter.com/DeMar_DeRozan. In the words of DeMar "Toronto here I come. Air Canadas back."
But wait, even if his Twitter page hasn't given you your DeMar fix of the day, have no fear! Before DeMar has even put on a Raptors jersey, there are DeRozan wallpapers on Raptors.com. Check em out below or download them for yourself here.
And finally if you want to read about DeMar growing up in Compton and answering some questions, SLAM recently interviewed him. You can read it here. And yes, the article is called "The Gifted One."
But wait, even if his Twitter page hasn't given you your DeMar fix of the day, have no fear! Before DeMar has even put on a Raptors jersey, there are DeRozan wallpapers on Raptors.com. Check em out below or download them for yourself here.
And finally if you want to read about DeMar growing up in Compton and answering some questions, SLAM recently interviewed him. You can read it here. And yes, the article is called "The Gifted One."
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Raptors Take DeRozan
The Raptors were on the clock at approximately 8:25 tonight. The three players that were rumored to be the prospects for the Raptors were all available. With the ninth pick in the NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors took DeMar DeRozan, the 19 year old freshman out of USC.
The Good
DeMar is an athletic specimen. He has great size for a swingman and its been rumored that he once punched Superman through a brick wall. He is a slasher and is quick in the open court. His ball handling ability is good, but it will need some improvement. He likes to draw contact and play physically, and has shown significant improvement in his only year at USC. DeMar's combination of size, skill, and athleticism draw comparisons to Vince Carter and Rudy Gay.
The Bad
Demar is inconsistent. At time he struggles off the dribble and his jump shot needs improvement. He also shot just 64.7% from the free throw line.
Draft Grade: B+
In picking DeMar, the Raptors addressed their most pressing need: a slashing swingman. However DeMar most likely will not be able to become an impact player as a rookie, his game is simply too unpolished. DeMar does have the tools to become a great player. He dunked his first basketball in grade 6 (beating Vince by a whole 2 years), and his shoulders (pictured below) are wider than the Earth at the equator. Overall, the Raps ended up with a player with great potential, but he must work on his jump shot and dribbling abilities.
Best case scenario: With the help of NBA training staff, he builds strength and improves on his offensive skills, and does a solid job in a 10-15 minute per game role. He then blossoms into a Carter-type all-around scorer, hopefully without the whiny princess attitude. Let's keep his mom away from the ACC.
Worst case scenario: DeRozan's athleticism is not enough to carry him through the NBA, and his skills do not improve enough to match his hops. His love of dunking overtakes his love of basketball, and he becomes the next Gerald Green.
The Good
DeMar is an athletic specimen. He has great size for a swingman and its been rumored that he once punched Superman through a brick wall. He is a slasher and is quick in the open court. His ball handling ability is good, but it will need some improvement. He likes to draw contact and play physically, and has shown significant improvement in his only year at USC. DeMar's combination of size, skill, and athleticism draw comparisons to Vince Carter and Rudy Gay.
The Bad
Demar is inconsistent. At time he struggles off the dribble and his jump shot needs improvement. He also shot just 64.7% from the free throw line.
Draft Grade: B+
In picking DeMar, the Raptors addressed their most pressing need: a slashing swingman. However DeMar most likely will not be able to become an impact player as a rookie, his game is simply too unpolished. DeMar does have the tools to become a great player. He dunked his first basketball in grade 6 (beating Vince by a whole 2 years), and his shoulders (pictured below) are wider than the Earth at the equator. Overall, the Raps ended up with a player with great potential, but he must work on his jump shot and dribbling abilities.
Best case scenario: With the help of NBA training staff, he builds strength and improves on his offensive skills, and does a solid job in a 10-15 minute per game role. He then blossoms into a Carter-type all-around scorer, hopefully without the whiny princess attitude. Let's keep his mom away from the ACC.
Worst case scenario: DeRozan's athleticism is not enough to carry him through the NBA, and his skills do not improve enough to match his hops. His love of dunking overtakes his love of basketball, and he becomes the next Gerald Green.
The List Narrows To Three?
The Toronto Star reported today that the Raptors list of draft prospects may have narrowed further down to three possibilities. 18 year old Jrue Holiday, 19 year old DeMar DeRozan, and 22 year old James Johnson are reportedly the three that Bryan Colangelo is concentrating on, leaving out Gerald Henderson and Jonny Flynn.
Draft coverage begins with the draft preview at 6 pm on NBA TV, with the actual draft coverage beginning at 7, and the first pick at 7:30. You can catch it either on NBA TV or The Score.
Happy draft day everyone!
Draft coverage begins with the draft preview at 6 pm on NBA TV, with the actual draft coverage beginning at 7, and the first pick at 7:30. You can catch it either on NBA TV or The Score.
Happy draft day everyone!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
BC's Final Talk Before the Draft
The NBA draft is this Thursday and Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo gave his final press conference before the draft today on Raptors NBA TV. The conference outlined Bryan's summer plans regarding the draft, free agency, and addressing the team's needs.
Bryan began the conference with talk of the draft. He explained that the trade for Reggie Evans has changed BC's draft wishes. He discussed that he "has a list" of 5 players from which he will choose one to draft (providing they will be available): Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, DeMar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, and James Johnson. Of those five, Johnson and Holiday have come back for additional private discussions. Bryan then discussed the shift in prospect scouting from an active, workout-based evaluation to a more conversation-based incorporative system, contrary to what Elvis Presley might have wanted (I will be surprised if anyone gets that reference). Bryan said that he feels he has a very strong impression of his prospects, stronger than the old style of scouting. BC also revealed that, save for a drastic change, the Raptors will not trade for any additional picks or move up, as "the asking price was too high to move up."
After the draft talk, Bryan then discussed free agency and the Mid-Level Exception. He explained that re-signing Shawn Marion is preferable because "he fits the team". However if he is unable to re-sign Mr. Matrix, he believes a sign and trade scenario would be best. BC also felt that the Raptors are solid with bigs. He discussed the development of Patrick O'Bryant, as he has shown flashes of what BC thought he could do. In the words of the GM, "the kid's got a chance." With the Mid-Level Exception, BC is looking to address the "wing uncertainty." If he were to draft a point guard, he would look to sign a wing, and vice versa. However with the futures of Marion, Anthony Parker, and Carlos Delfino all up in the air, no one can know how it will play out. A Raptor fan can only believe in the Architect, Bryan Colangelo.
Bryan began the conference with talk of the draft. He explained that the trade for Reggie Evans has changed BC's draft wishes. He discussed that he "has a list" of 5 players from which he will choose one to draft (providing they will be available): Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, DeMar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, and James Johnson. Of those five, Johnson and Holiday have come back for additional private discussions. Bryan then discussed the shift in prospect scouting from an active, workout-based evaluation to a more conversation-based incorporative system, contrary to what Elvis Presley might have wanted (I will be surprised if anyone gets that reference). Bryan said that he feels he has a very strong impression of his prospects, stronger than the old style of scouting. BC also revealed that, save for a drastic change, the Raptors will not trade for any additional picks or move up, as "the asking price was too high to move up."
After the draft talk, Bryan then discussed free agency and the Mid-Level Exception. He explained that re-signing Shawn Marion is preferable because "he fits the team". However if he is unable to re-sign Mr. Matrix, he believes a sign and trade scenario would be best. BC also felt that the Raptors are solid with bigs. He discussed the development of Patrick O'Bryant, as he has shown flashes of what BC thought he could do. In the words of the GM, "the kid's got a chance." With the Mid-Level Exception, BC is looking to address the "wing uncertainty." If he were to draft a point guard, he would look to sign a wing, and vice versa. However with the futures of Marion, Anthony Parker, and Carlos Delfino all up in the air, no one can know how it will play out. A Raptor fan can only believe in the Architect, Bryan Colangelo.
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