Red hot news for the off season "hot stove" conversations about
Canada's team/

The brother of Chris Bosh has been named to our Raptors' summer league
team.  "We are family"!!!  I wonder if Golden Graham's twin is a free
agent!!!

This is the web link for the news about the signing of  Hassan Adams, a
former 2nd round draft pick,  inked to a two-year contract with the
Toronto Raptors TODAY...

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/story/2008/07/08/adams-raptors.html

The six-foot-four, 220-pound Hassan Adams caught on with the Cavaliers
in the preseason last November but was also waived. Adams then played
for Basket Draghi Novara in Italy for a season before working out for
the Raptors at their free agent camp last month.

I have just added to Rappack a group of photos of our new Raptor
players for 2008-09, including Kevin O'Neil, the newest European steal
Roko Uric, the "Aussie Shaq" Nathan Jawai (who was the heaviest center
drafted this year, and has a wing span of seven and a half feet!!!)and
Hasslem, a guy quietly added from the Cavaliers.  Enjoy!

The Raptors and GM Bryan Colangelo are close to having their roster
set for the upcoming season after reaching tentative agreements with
three players.

Colangelo got point guard Jose Calderon locked up to a long-term
contract and signed guards Roko Ukic and Hassan Adams to deals, all
of which can be officially completed on July 9.

Here are the best 3 links for each of our two new Raptors:
Hassan Adams and Roko Ukic.  For both I offer first Wikipedia bio
page, then the best site I could find for Hassan Adams & Roko Ukic,
and finally a YouTube video of each.  Enjoy...

Hassan Adams...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_Adams
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hassan_adams/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqkYoTTnH7U

Roko Ukic ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko_Uki%C4%87
http://www.zimbio.com/National+Basketball+League+
(Nba)/articles/69/Might+Roko+Ukic+Headed+Toronto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqsUYLxf7U8

The terms of Calderon's deal have yet to be disclosed, but it's
believed he'll make about $8 million per season to stay with the
team. And with T.J. Ford now out of the picture, Calderon should be
an excellent fantasy point guard next season.

Of course "the Aussie Shaq" and Kevin O'Neil will be added too, any
day now when KO passes his physical!!!

Toronto Raptor fans of all ages are dancing for joy about Bryan's
"Canada Day" gift to our nation's NBA Team, the block buster deal that
brings Kevin O'Neil and a guy nicknamed "The Aussie Shaq" featuring a
giant body (heaviest player drafted this year), an amazing seven and a
half foot wing-span, strength and quick feet.

Later we'll celebrate with fireworks tonight.  Now we're back in the
race!!!

Last year's "NBA coach of the year" Sam Mitchell only had to say one
word, last night, to make me smile after a mediocre win over the
depleted Miami Heat.

He had me at "Orlando".

Who said "a picture is worth a thousand words?"  That word is worth a
thousand pictures!!!

Finally, I can breathe!

This season turned out OK ... barely OK ... with a second play-off
berth (2nd of many to come!).

I think they should drop their 15th man, idle bench jockey Linton
Johnson, and see if there is someone more useful available for
tomorrow's "lame duck" final game against the Chicago Bulls (and maybe
the play-offs).

Can you believe that, just one year ago, a buck toothed young Raptor
player scored an incredible 30 points in their final game of the season.

But even more incredibly, he was the last cut this season, replaced by
MOON, and couldn't even make it in Miami!

He's out of the whole league now, exactly one year after scoring 30
pts/game.  Do you remember him?  I'd rather he was on the bench than
Linton Johnson.

"You can just call me Johnson!"

The Toronto Raptors on Thursday signed forward Linton Johnson III to
a 10-day contract.

After a college career at Tulane University, Johnson began his
professional career as an undrafted free agent playing 41 games
including 20 starts for the Chicago Bulls.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson has appeared in 139 career regular-season
NBA games.  He is the nephew of former NBA player Mickey Johnson, so
he comes with "good blood lines"!

Johnson has played for the San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, New
Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.

He is 28 years old...ironically identical to the age of hard working
un-drafted Raptor rookie "Super" Jamario Moon, born just a month
apart in 1980;  and exactly identical in size (205 lbs and 6'8") too!

Johnson replaces Derek Martin, the wise but seldom used (under-sized)
12 year NBA veteran point guard from UCLA, who is rumoured to
be "being promoted" to an assistant coach;  perhaps after a little
vacation, to watch those top rated UCLA Bruins' "one shining moment"
at the NCAA "March Madness" tournament.

Toronto's greatest needs are said to be rebounding, defence and
general "toughness", due to the season long abscence of "1st string
NBA all star rookie" starting power forward Jorge Garbajosa of Spain
(6-9 245 lbs)...the same country as point guard Jose Calderon (so
they can speak the same language).

He is known as a tough defender, aggressive rebounder and an
impressive athlete; but he supposedly "lacks offensive intensity".

Another wise, "professional" move by Bryan Colangelo, Toronto's
reigning NBA "GM of the year" (a two time winner of the award);  who
is the true "Franchise" star of the Raptors!

The last player moved was trading away (under-sized) combo guard Juan
Dixon, to Detroit, for big Primoz Brezec, an energetic 7'1" center
from Slovenia in Europe...the same country as 7'0" starting center
Rasho Nesterovic, so they can speak the same language.

TONIGHT the Raptors look to move closer to gaining a playoff berth
Friday night when they try to hand the visiting New York Knicks their
eighth straight loss in Canada....to be seen ONLY on Raptors NBA TV.

I blogged on this, with photos at...
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-ISngy3A9bqulHVeLd5G2JKpsN.kz7g--?cq=1

Not a chance. Bargnani hasn't lived up to the expectations of a 1st
pick. Garbajosa and Rasho are in their 30s.

You don't get an MVP-caliber player for these type of players.

Would Houston ever give up Yao for 3 of the Raptors' expendable Euro
big men?

YAO would cost Toronto a good veteran centre, a first round draft
choise who finished 2nd in rookie of the year voting last season, and
a second big man who was on the rookie all star FIRST team at the end
of last season.

I'm thinking down the line Toronto, with a huge Chinatown immigrant
population, will end up adding another member of the Chinese national
team (like Milwaukee's big rookie Ying, to replace Bargnani) to bond
with Yao.

I'm thinking 3 for 1 ... two NBA rookie C/F's from last season, seven
foooter Bargniani and Garbajosa who have LOADS of up-side for the day
Houston is finally ready to win the title, and seven foooter Rasho
Nestrovich a solid veteran Euro center who has never missed the play-
offs in is career as an NBA starting center...for YAO.

Houston could add NBA rookie guard Bellini, to bond with Bargnani, in
a subsequent trade some day soon.

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?
qid=20080127062344AAnbQjt&r=w

1st: Can Canadian National Team center Dalenbere be acquired for the
play-offs, from the new 76ers' GM?

2nd:  I am excited about the MOON MAN!!!
If he must have a nick name, "MOON MAN" is great!!!

3) How about calling Moon blocks "The Lunar Eclipse"!?
4) How about calling  Moon buckets "Moon Landings"?!?

5) Why not play a Moon song, like "When the MOON hits your eyes..."
during his highlights, either on the shows or during unsold ad slots.

6) Instead of any nick name,  I'd like "MOON" to be the first (of many)
Canadian 'PELE'-type one name player "a la South American sports
stars".  "Moon" sounds tough, yet cool!  Watch SA soccer and see how
emphatic a single name can be...'Nene', for example.

All the Moon nick name ideas are lame.  I won't wast time explaining
that right now, but I will if you need me to.

Moon Walker suggests he walks, a turnover!  Moon Shine is nice until
you realize it lable him a hillbillie from the back hills of Alabama.
Oe suggested nick name has Alabama in it...shades of "Air Canada",
reminding me he aint from here!!!

I'm not anxious to be the one to spoil his parade.  But I think they
need me as a consultant on PR, before the team becomes a laughing
stock in western Canada.

Moon IS a nick name!  Let's be the first NBA team with one word
names, like the South America soccer heros.  Moon will do very nicely.

Moon has become a "minutes sponge" for the Raps, due to his defense
and aggressive work on the boards.  He always finds a way to
contribute offensively, too.

Moon played a team-high 43 minutes on Saturday Dec 1, and finished
the night with 16 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and a block, but he
said it meant "NOTHING!" because that game was a loss, at
Washington.   I like his unselfish attitude!

That loss happened with Bosh, Bargniani & Garbagosa missing, and Ford
was hurt too!  Still Moon had his trademark smile, and took it on his
shoulders to alter shots and play big.

It is said that Jamario Moon is starting to "pull the string" on his
shot too often!

That means he is not getting full extension on his follow-through.
That is one reason why he has posted back-to-back double-figure
scoring games only once this season.

The Raptors collapse last night in Dallas, was again a
sign of too many outside shooters, and no slashers to
the hoop.

Bosh, can not take this punishment nioght after night,
doing all the slashing and driving. Its admirable, but
the refs only call it maybe once out of every two
times he gets mauled.

Kapono is a shooter, Delfino is a little of
everything, but does not slash much. Parker loves to
elevate and shoot three's but doesn't go inside much
at all. (And he hurt them last night) Bargnani is a
shooter, and they forgot to give him the ball in the
second half when he was hot, and so he got cold. They
started hoisting them up themselves.

And yet look at the spacing, four guys on the
perimeter, and maybe one guy 12 feet from the hoop for
rebounds. he is easily blocked out, and it is one and
done.... and Dallas was away.

Graham is strong but inconsistent slasher, Moon is a
great addition, and multi-talented, so I would trade a
Parker, Delfino, Kapono type equal status type player
for a real slasher, or masher inside.

One demensional style just won;t work all the time,
and will relegate toronto to a 500 ball club. They
need DEPTH in different type of specialties not just
all three point shooters with no slashers and mashers.

Just My Opinion

David


--- David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:

> As with Golden State, having all these outsider
> shooters, who just play limited minutes, means they
> get on the floor and hoist them up, so as to try and
> get hot and stay on the floor for more minutes.
>
> Sam, trying to find a hot hand, can;t get the so
> called right combination because they just don;t get
> the touches to get in the flow.
>
> Hence experimenting to see who is hot and who is
> not,
> is a rather hit or miss coaching choice, that
> usually
> won;t work.
>
> And when we have two exceptional point guards, who
> control the ball a whole lot, again the touches may
> be
> limited for the others, who just don't get the feel
> and flow of the game enough to contribute.
>
> And when we just don't have any inside presense,
> almost all are hoovering around the three point line
> and no body on the off side is close to rebounding,
> and it is one and done.
>
> Too many players of the same caliber, and sdame
> shooting style, as most think they are three point
> shooters, and no body has the muscle or quicks to go
> inside. Bosh tries, but eventually, he will be
> roughed
> up and injured if he keeps trying. He's got guts,
> but
> he ain't a goin to last, when other teams are bigger
> and stronger inside than us. He will get injured,
> and
> then the RAPTORS will be dead meat or easy meat for
> the opposition prey.
>
>
> --- David <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> > I say too strong a bench and not a clear cut
> > starting five and clear
> > cut seven can hurt a team rather than help it. Too
> > many players of all
> > the same caliber, can cause jealousies and
> > discontenment as they are
> > too close to playing more. And if not getting
> enough
> > playing time, lose
> > confidence with the coach, get grievances with the
> > starting five etc.
> >
> > Clear-cut better starters, and having two or three
> > subs is almost
> > always a better recipe for success, than having
> sooo
> > many pretty good
> > players at the same level.
> >
> > With this type of problem, maybe Toronto won't
> jell
> > together this year.
> > We shall see.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>       Connect with friends from any web browser - no
> download required. Try the new Yahoo! Canada
> Messenger for the Web BETA at
> http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php
>



       Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the
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As with Golden State, having all these outsider
shooters, who just play limited minutes, means they
get on the floor and hoist them up, so as to try and
get hot and stay on the floor for more minutes.

Sam, trying to find a hot hand, can;t get the so
called right combination because they just don;t get
the touches to get in the flow.

Hence experimenting to see who is hot and who is not,
is a rather hit or miss coaching choice, that usually
won;t work.

And when we have two exceptional point guards, who
control the ball a whole lot, again the touches may be
limited for the others, who just don't get the feel
and flow of the game enough to contribute.

And when we just don't have any inside presense,
almost all are hoovering around the three point line
and no body on the off side is close to rebounding,
and it is one and done.

Too many players of the same caliber, and sdame
shooting style, as most think they are three point
shooters, and no body has the muscle or quicks to go
inside. Bosh tries, but eventually, he will be roughed
up and injured if he keeps trying. He's got guts, but
he ain't a goin to last, when other teams are bigger
and stronger inside than us. He will get injured, and
then the RAPTORS will be dead meat or easy meat for
the opposition prey.


--- David <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:

> I say too strong a bench and not a clear cut
> starting five and clear
> cut seven can hurt a team rather than help it. Too
> many players of all
> the same caliber, can cause jealousies and
> discontenment as they are
> too close to playing more. And if not getting enough
> playing time, lose
> confidence with the coach, get grievances with the
> starting five etc.
>
> Clear-cut better starters, and having two or three
> subs is almost
> always a better recipe for success, than having sooo
> many pretty good
> players at the same level.
>
> With this type of problem, maybe Toronto won't jell
> together this year.
> We shall see.
>
>



       Connect with friends from any web browser - no download required. Try the
new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA at
http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php

I say too strong a bench and not a clear cut starting five and clear
cut seven can hurt a team rather than help it. Too many players of all
the same caliber, can cause jealousies and discontenment as they are
too close to playing more. And if not getting enough playing time, lose
confidence with the coach, get grievances with the starting five etc.

Clear-cut better starters, and having two or three subs is almost
always a better recipe for success, than having sooo many pretty good
players at the same level.

With this type of problem, maybe Toronto won't jell together this year.
We shall see.

Toronto made a significant leap last year, transforming a 27 win
season in 2005-06 to 47 and a clear division title in 2006-07.  They
rode the broad shoulders of Chris Bosh who has become a clear-cut
star and a force to be reckoned with, and a starter in the All Star
Game, even though he gets little publicity because of his team is in
Canada.

PG:  T.J. Ford,           Jose Calderon
SG:   Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino
SF:  Jason Kapono,    Joey Graham
PF:  Chris Bosh,         Jorge Garbajosa
C:  Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic

You have to believe that Boston is a serious threat to replace
Toronto in the Atlantic  division penthouse.  A healthy, experienced
Nets team will also give Toronto a run for second.   The most glaring
issue in Toronto is a lack of toughness.  Bosh is amazing, but after
him there's not an intimidating guy on that list.

Toronto Raptors' 10 Key Players (10 man depth on 15 man roster) for
2007-8:

7 Andrea Bargnani  F  7-0 250 10/26/1985*   Italy 1  (NBA Ranking:
190th^)
4 Chris Bosh  F  6-10 230 03/24/1984*   Georgia Tech 4  (NBA Ranking:
10th*)
8 Jose Calderon  G  6-3 210 09/28/1981*   Spain 2  (NBA Ranking: 127*)
20 Carlos Delfino  G  6-6 230 08/29/1982*   Argentina 3  (NBA
Ranking: 251^)
11 T.J. Ford  G  6-0 165 03/24/1983*   Texas 3  (NBA Ranking: 60th*)
15 Jorge Garbajosa  F  6-9 245 12/19/1977   Spain 1  (NBA Ranking:
142*)
14 Joey Graham  F  6-7 225 06/11/1982*   Oklahoma State 2   (NBA
Ranking: 249^)
24 Jason Kapono  F  6-8 215 02/02/1981*   UCLA 4 (NBA Ranking: 178)
12 Rasho Nesterovic  C  7-0 255 05/30/1976   Slovenia 9  (NBA Salary
Ranking: 184)
18 Anthony Parker  G-F  6-6 215 06/19/1975   Bradley 4  (NBA Ranking:
100*)
     NOTE:  150 NBA STARTERS (30 teams x 5 starters)
                   5  Raptors are rated in top 150*

Significant Additions:
Carlos Delfino & Jason Kapono

Significant Subtractions:
Morris Peterson

10 others competing for the last 5 seats on the bench:

9 Maceo Baston  F  6-10 230 05/29/1976   Michigan 2
43 Kris Humphries  F  6-9 235 02/06/1985*   Minnesota 3
6 Luke Jackson  F-G  6-7 215 11/06/1981*   Oregon 3
  Jamario Moon  F  6-8 205 06/13/1980*   Meridian CC (MS) R
3 Juan Dixon  G  6-3 164 10/09/1978   Maryland 5
2 Darrick Martin  G  5-11 170 03/06/1971   UCLA 12
  Giorgos Printezis **  F  6-8 220 02/22/1985*   Greece R
10 Uros Slokar (FA)  F  6-10 238 05/14/1983*   Slovenia 1
9 Pape Sow (FA)  F  6-10 250 11/22/1981*   Cal State-Fullerton 3
  Roko Ukic **  G  6-5 183 05/12/1984*   Croatia R

NBA ref Tim Donaghy was called a "rouge criminal" by his boss David
Stern.

Unfortunately for Canada, Tim Donaghy refed suspicious badly-called
close losses in BOTH the Suns post-season upset of "Captain Canada"
Nash AND our Raptors' play-off series.  Tell us what you REALLY think
commish.

Over the last two seasons (reportedly the focus of the FBI's
investigation into this matter), the games refereed by Tim Donaghy
scored more points than Las Vegas expected over 57 percent of the
time (79 of 138 games). The odds of that happening randomly are 19 to
1.


Premise #1: The more fouls a referee calls, the more he affects the
game.


Premise #2: There is an absolute correlation between the number of
fouls a referee calls in an NBA game and the number of points scored
by the teams. (The logic being that fouls result in free throws,
which stop the clock and add points).


Conclusion: An NBA ref who intended to illicitly influence a game
would do so by calling more fouls, and thus his games would be higher
scoring than average.


Not only have Tim Donaghy's games the last two seasons been higher
scoring than average, they have been so to a degree that would happen
naturally only quite rarely. Which means it can be stated fairly that
Tim Donaghy's on-court behavior the last two seasons has an over 95%
probability of being abnormal!


Maybe Tim Donaghy has always called lots of fouls, some may suggest.
In the two years prior to the two years the FBI is investigating, Tim
Donaghy's games scored more points than Las Vegas expected only 44%
of the time!

Sports Gambling expert RJ Bell, President of Pregame.com has
uncovered these remarkable facts:

Contact Information
RJ Bell
President
Pregame.com
1.800.PREGAME
rjbell@...



Over/Under Bettors a Perfect 6-0

How common is game-fixing?  During the 2006-07 season, there were 6
games refereed by Tim Donaghy in which big "over/under" betting moved
the Las Vegas line by more than 3 points . . . the big money gamblers
won all 6 of those games.

99% of the money bet goes illegal & "offshore".   Don't even bother
looking at vegas numbers...Vegas stats are just the tip of the
iceburg!  (Who's Betting What?)   Over $10 Billion Dollars is bet on
the NBA per Month!

ESPN.com, Canada's TSN and the Associated Press have all consulted
with "pregame.com" about the scandal.  It is a web page all about
SPORTS betting statistics.

Gamblers Won 15 Straight Times:

The first 15 games of the 2006-07 refereed by Tim Donaghy that had
big enough betting to move the point spread by at least 1.5 points
were PERFECT against Las Vegas – meaning that the big money gamblers
won a 15 of 15 times on his games. The odds of that happening
randomly are 32,768 to 1.

NBA's "Betting Ref" GAME FIXING Scandal:  15-0 + 6-0 win streaks for
bettors on this ref's games...unbelievably suspect....it is proof
positive!   The question is, " What did the NBA know, and WHEN did
they know it???"

  This anomoly was discovered by a stats wiz "pregame.com" web site,
linked below...

http://pregame.com/

The combined odds of 15-0 + 6-0 oddities are uncalculable!  Vegas
might be able to assist NBA in detecting odd betting evidence!  You
will find this deliniated at...

http://pregame.com/forums/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=158528

What do YOU think?

This trade only makes sense if you're a Raptors fan, since all the
best players land in Toronto. ;)

Atlanta won't part with Smith without a major star or a future stud
coming their way. There's a rumor BC tried prying him away for
Calderon to no avail.

Memphis won't part with Gasol without a major star or future stud
coming their way. We already know what their minimum asking price is:
a player of the calibre of Deng or Gordon. Why would they sway from
that especially now after signing a frontcourt complement in Milicic?

Only in the world of NBA 2k7 will scrubs land you a superstar or two.

Does this make sense?  It does on the money side.

Toronto Raptors

Incoming Players
  Josh Smith
Salary: $2,243,543  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 16.4  REB: 8.6  AST: 3.3  PER: 18.39

  Lorenzen Wright
Salary: $3,250,000  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 2.6  REB: 3.2  AST: 0.6  PER: 6.65

  Pau Gasol
Salary: $13,735,000  Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 20.8  REB: 9.8  AST: 3.4  PER: 24.22


Outgoing Players: Kris Humphries, Rasho Nesterovic, Jorge Garbajosa,
Joey Graham, Juan Dixon
_________________________________

Atlanta Hawks

Incoming Players
  Hakim Warrick
Salary: $1,376,040  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 12.7  REB: 5.1  AST: 0.9  PER: 15.92

  Joey Graham
Salary: $1,596,600  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 6.4  REB: 3.1  AST: 0.6  PER: 12.86

  Juan Dixon
Salary: $2,550,000  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 9.6  REB: 2.0  AST: 1.5  PER: 11.82


Outgoing Players: Josh Smith, Lorenzen Wright, Zaza Pachulia
_____________________________

Memphis Grizzlies

Incoming Players
  Kris Humphries
Salary: $2,522,913  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 3.8  REB: 3.1  AST: 0.3  PER: 13.66

  Rasho Nesterovic
Salary: $7,840,000  Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 6.2  REB: 4.5  AST: 0.9  PER: 13.92

  Jorge Garbajosa
Salary: $4,000,000  Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 8.5  REB: 4.9  AST: 1.9  PER: 12.15

  Zaza Pachulia
Salary: $4,000,000  Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 12.2  REB: 6.9  AST: 1.5  PER: 16.90


Outgoing Players: Hakim Warrick, Pau Gasol
_________________________________

No doubt Atlanta needs a shake up!

It makes sense for the Grizzley club because Casol is not happy in
Memphis and they have enough young talent to improve with some older
bb-IQ depth!

Paul Casol wants out of Memphis, and he would LOVE playing with his
friend Raptor PG  Jose Calderone....from

From a Toronto point of view, I'd be saying YES to a deal that gets
me Paul Casol &  Josh Smith (plus ANY 3rd player)  for two starters
Rasho Nesterovic, Jorge Garbajosa, and 3 rotation guys Joey Graham,
Kris Humphries, and Juan Dixon.

No doubt Atlanta needs a shake up!

Would the Grizzlies say yes?   I notice the trade plans to give
Memphis 4 guys who just happen to be white (bonus points with KKK
hoops fans).

BUT...it would be much better if Spanish National Team mates Pau
Gasol and Jorge Garbajosa could have ended up on the same NBA team
somehow!!!

Biased reporters like Swirsky are part of the problem. I listen to the
guy and understand what you say. Swirsky, and his stupid ilk are part
a huge part of the problem too. They are all part of the problem.

Swirsky has seen more games than any fan. It is part of the journalist
credo to be neutral. I clearly remember this guy taking off after fans
who said that NBA games were fixed. He ranted and raved against his
own listeners saying that the referees were the most honest people on
earth. He not performing as a journalist he is a shell to protect
them. Well as it turns out the listeners were right.

Like you I am a used to be. I used to be a journalist before the
business world intruded into the sport. Swirsky claims the mantle of
being a journalist, he is supposed to be neutral and look at a game
neutrally. Its the old saying if it walks like a duck, talks like a
duck... Hey Quack, Quack.

The whole thing is his attitude. Even after the news came out he still
refused to believe that NBA games that could be fixed and are fixed.
He stated how Donaghy was a really great guy. Yes except this "great
guy" fixed the game and the playoff series for the Raptors. I mean
I've had to write adverse stories on people I happened to personally
liked. Its part of the job description. He's outta there!

There are other forms of corruption in sport. You cite the referee
problem. I cite the lack of journalistic ethics. It is incumbent on
the journalist to look at the game, his audience, his or her readers
depend on them to have a neutral stance. It is a responsibility.

And if one BBall game is crooked, it makes all games crooked. This is
how. By him calling that very important and critical playoff game, it
means the entire Raptors season was a waste of time of fan money. They
lost it by one point. And that was a game with a lot of questionable
calls. It means the whole league is a joke.

And you have to ask. Was this guy assigned to that particular game on
purpose? One has to ask whether or not someone in supervisory position
put this particular referee into that particular game. It is a
question that must be asked. And any decent reporter would now ask
that question. To date, none on 590theFAN have and Swirsky is its lead
expert.


--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> Swirsky is not part of the problem, but part of the
> solution. better not to use his name in something like
> this.
>
> As a former referree, who got kicked out of the ranks,
> for filing a GAME MISCONDUCT REPORT against a fellow
> referree, who absolutely degraded the game on court,
> can I say that referrees are not gods, and they hold
> grudges and can be bias....and even brag about it with
> other referees.
>
> They may not gamble on lower level games, but they do
> have a tremendous amount of influence on the game, on
> close calls, and there are numerous times they can put
> in their bias FOR or AGAINST teams or players.
>
> Refs need to clean up their act !!!!
>
> In my case, The Game Misconduct Report was overlooked
> even though by rule it was suppose to be decided
> within days and although it was verified by game
> particpants and a score keeper.
>
> Absolute power corrupts absolutely and they have had
> absolute power in almos all sports. And without
> fairness and just calls, it disillusions players and
> fans and ALL.
>
> As for Swirsky, he's an example of someone with
> enthusiasm, and as an announcer, we shouldn;t have to
> hear too many complaints about the refs, as it
> detracts from watching what we had hoped was a fair
> contest
>
> david
>
>
> --- Gord C <gordc238@...> wrote:
>
> > A referee has just been busted for fixing games. Its
> > like a few people
> > suspected. These few were always shouted down by the
> > rah rah types
> > like Swirsky.
> >
> > If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, Swirsky
> > thinks its a swan.
> > Game six of the playoffs, the one that knocked the
> > Raptors was the
> > deciding game of the series.
> >
> > According to Yahoo sports there may be other arrests
> > not just mob
> > members. So this may spread.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>       Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people.
Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com
>

Swirsky is not part of the problem, but part of the
solution. better not to use his name in something like
this.

As a former referree, who got kicked out of the ranks,
for filing a GAME MISCONDUCT REPORT against a fellow
referree, who absolutely degraded the game on court,
can I say that referrees are not gods, and they hold
grudges and can be bias....and even brag about it with
other referees.

They may not gamble on lower level games, but they do
have a tremendous amount of influence on the game, on
close calls, and there are numerous times they can put
in their bias FOR or AGAINST teams or players.

Refs need to clean up their act !!!!

In my case, The Game Misconduct Report was overlooked
even though by rule it was suppose to be decided
within days and although it was verified by game
particpants and a score keeper.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely and they have had
absolute power in almos all sports. And without
fairness and just calls, it disillusions players and
fans and ALL.

As for Swirsky, he's an example of someone with
enthusiasm, and as an announcer, we shouldn;t have to
hear too many complaints about the refs, as it
detracts from watching what we had hoped was a fair
contest

david


--- Gord C <gordc238@...> wrote:

> A referee has just been busted for fixing games. Its
> like a few people
> suspected. These few were always shouted down by the
> rah rah types
> like Swirsky.
>
> If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, Swirsky
> thinks its a swan.
> Game six of the playoffs, the one that knocked the
> Raptors was the
> deciding game of the series.
>
> According to Yahoo sports there may be other arrests
> not just mob
> members. So this may spread.
>
>



       Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo!
Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com

A referee has just been busted for fixing games. Its like a few people
suspected. These few were always shouted down by the rah rah types
like Swirsky.

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, Swirsky thinks its a swan.
Game six of the playoffs, the one that knocked the Raptors was the
deciding game of the series.

According to Yahoo sports there may be other arrests not just mob
members. So this may spread.

(I added photos of Kapono and Moon on our photos page)


A scouting report on an under the radar Raptor signee...

Jamario Moon is from Meridian Community College
Height: 6'8.5" (verified at combine)
Weight: 194 pounds (verified at combine)
Wingspan: 83.25 inches

Game Knowledge: Good know-how. Understands the game.

Physical Tools: Long arms and very athletic. In very good physical
condition.

Rebounding: Athletic with long arms.

Ball Handling Skills: Very good perimeter ball skills for his size.
Good handle on the fast break. Good passer. Does well under pressure.

Offense: Very good! Solid jumper. Makes a lot of athletic plays
going to the basket. Excellent in transition. Can easily jump over
others to get to the basket. Quick leaper who knows how to score.

Defense: Good. Has quickness to guard smaller players and with long
arms and height and athleticism, can easily guard in the post. Loves
to block shots. Very long and mobile.

Strengths: Athleticism. Drive. Slashing to the basket. Good
offensive player. Plays above the rim. Can get to the basket any
time he wants to.

From Kevin Garnett to Gilbert Arenas to Shawn Marion to Paul Pierce
to Jermaine O'Neal, a staggering list of the sport's stars are
eligible to opt out of contracts and declare themselves free agents.

For this free agency cycle, which begins Sunday, there is a far more
modest crop of candidates. While the top two players, Vince Carter
and Chauncey Billups, have opted out of contracts, they were sure to
re-sign!

Marc Stein of the ESPN.com writes, "Free agent sharpshooter Jason
Kapono has quickly reached an agreement Sunday to leave the Miami
Heat and sign a four-year deal believed to be worth $24 million with
the Toronto Raptors.

The NBA's free agent period commenced at 12:01 Sunday morning, and
Toronto was quick to strike, signing Jason the first day contracts
could be signed.

The newest Toronto Raptor, sharpshooter Jason Kapono was the Miami
Heat's "6th man".   In the NCAA, vs. Cincinnati, he scored 17 points
after halftime, plus 5 rebounds and an assist.   In the NBA Kapono
turned into one of the league's most accurate three-point shooters
last season.   Notably, he proved he could make shots even with
Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade off the floor.

The former UCLA star has a record of rapid improvement in his 3 year
pro career.  The 6'-8" Kapono was the first Bruin to earn First Team
All-Pac-10 honors for all 4 years; and was also the only UCLA player
to ever lead the school in scoring 4 straight years!

After a record breaking college hoops career at UCLA, Kapono was only
the 2nd player chosen in the second-round draft (Same draft that
Toronto picked Chris Bosh 4th over-all) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in
the 2003 NBA Draft, along with 1st over-all pick LeBron James.

After his rookie season with the Cavs, he was selected by the
Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 expansion draft.  Later, he was traded
to the Miami Heat, where he earned a ring as  part of the 2005-06 NBA
champion team.

In the Toronto Star, basketball writer Doug Smith said:  "it's all
about the high screen and roll. The Raptors' decision to shower Jason
Kapono with free agent riches, while not addressing Bryan Colangelo's
oft-stated intention of improving the club's overall athleticism, has
to bring a twinkle to the eye of coach Sam Mitchell."

I hear Vince Carter, by the way, re-signed with the NJ Nets.   This
sets up another great play-off series!

"George" Giorgos Printezis was aquired by Toronto, for a 2008 2nd Rd
Draft Pick after the draft. (F) 6'.9", 235 lbs

He has good strength, compared to other Europeans, with good size for
an NBA small forward.  Might grow into a power forward.

"George" says he likes Toronto, because of the international flavor
of the team, and the city. welcome to Canada!

He showed impressive hoop skills and intangibles, with awesome
individual performances, all four days of the recent RBK Eurocamp,
with our Asst. G.M. in attendance, I believe.

He led the RBK all-star game in scoring in a one-sided rout, showing
off glimpses of his many versatile skills. Another "steal" by Bryan
and his brain trust!

The knock on him is that he is a team-defense type player (and needs
good team-mates to succeed) not a lock-down one-on-one defender.
Well rounded (has no real "weakness") and very "basketball smart",
but he's not outstanding in any one area, by NBA standards.

First I want to say Jim Todd will be missed.  If the team faulters,
I'll be very suspicious that the ex-Clippers head coach (the half time
guest on every gamecast on TV) was Sam's secret weapon.

I suspect his replacement is a good buddy of Sam Mitchell, since they
both happen to come from the same state down south. Coincidence?  I
think not.

2nd I want to say Delfino is a useful player to improve our bench, but
I wonder whose minutes he'll take.  Is this a signal that career Raptor
MoPete, of "miracle shot" fame, is not going to be kept for next season?

3rd I want to encourage everyone to tune in the Raptors' NBA TV "Back
Draft" series of previous NBA drafts revisited.  It's fun to review who
drafted well, and why, over the entire NBA, not just Toronto.

They don't market them right.  Trust me...they're great memories!
Don't be a homer...enjoy the whole pagentry and strategy of the annual
amateur draft!

One episode was tagged "the year we drafted Bradley"...I almost did not
watch it...but I'm glad I did.  There were wonderful monents in that
draft too!  These shows are TV GOLD!!!

Watch the draft anyway...with free agency and trades, it is fun to see
other teams drafting future Raps.  It's ALL good!!!

Congratulations to the best GM in the NBA...maybe the best GM in
Canada ... or maybe even the world.  Bryan's over-haul of "Canada's
Team": has been much more than remarkable ... it's miraculous.

May I humbly say, "Congratulations Bryan...You EARNED it!"  I enjoyed
the ride!  I will continue my Raptors NBA TV subscription off-season.

I updated my web site on our "NBA Executive of the Year"...to see it,
click this link...
http://pilecki.homestead.com/untitled2.html

I have nothing to do with this next web link, but I had a lot of fun
reading it, and I recommend that YOU study these rare stats too...
http://www.82games.com/0607/0607TORP.HTM

I also have the Raptors in my daily Yahoo 360 Blog web site...
http://pilecki.homestead.com/untitled2.html

I hope Mothers Day was good for your family.  Have a great Victoria
Day weekend.

Try my newest web site...

http://pilecki.homestead.com/keepers.html

I took some of my newest photos and blew them up.  I added loads of
links too.

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, lumberkingmike <no_reply@...> wrote:
> ... I'm so excited about this web link, that
> I'll throw it out first.  It was JUST updated this week.
>
> It is a look forward to next season, when "Canada's Team" will be
the
> ONLY team in the "Titanic" ATLANTIC DIVISION under the salary cay
(by
> an estimated $4 Million going into this off season...
>
> http://www.nbadraft.net/2007stateofthecaptoronto001.asp
>
> If you don't LOVE this web site, you are not a "Die-hard fan of the
> Toronto Raptors"!

I have a lot to say about the Raptors having 40% of the NBA "Rookie
All Star" FIRST TEAM.  But I'm so excited about this web link, that
I'll throw it out first.  It was JUST updated this week.

It is a look forward to next season, when "Canada's Team" will be the
ONLY team in the "Titanic" ATLANTIC DIVISION under the salary cay (by
an estimated $4 Million going into this off season...

http://www.nbadraft.net/2007stateofthecaptoronto001.asp

If you don't LOVE this web site, you are not a "Die-hard fan of the
Toronto Raptors"!  If you've ever believed anything that I've told
you, believe that!!!

As we know, and this web page announces to the world, "Toronto really
couldn't be in a better position right now. They have a lot of
excellent, young talent signed to worthy contracts!"

Now back to this week's big Raptor news...

NBA Rookie of the Year "ROY the R.O.Y.",  Brandon Roy barely beat our
Toronto Raptors'#1 over-all draft pick  "Itallian Stallion" Andrea
Bargnani (57 points) in voting for the rookie all stars.

Minnesota's Randy Foye (with 48 points), who set a world record being
traded twice on draft day (and getting 3 hats from his "new team"),
edged out Toronto's little known Jorge Garbajosa (37 points) in
claiming spots on the 1st "All star rookie" team.

BOTH
(1) Andrea Bargnani, the highly touted #1 over-all pick from Italy in
this year's NBA draft, AND also Bryan's undrafted rookie...
(2) C/F Jorge Garbajosa, a 29-year-old free agent from Spain, were
named as 2/5ths of the NBA's "all-rookie 1st team stars of 2006-7".

Toronto's "garbage man" blue collar C/F Garbo is not your typical NBA
rookie! This Euroleague veteran star will be thirty next season, so
don't expect the typical sophmore leaps of improvement. What you see
is what you'll get...but that's all good!!!

BARGNANI: He was named the Euroleague "Rising Star" as the "Top
European Young Player of the Year" in 2005-06 (just last season),
before moving to the NBA's Toronto Raptors for 2006-7 and almost
winning "Rookie of the Year" despite Sam starting him only twice, and
despite missing lots of games down the stretch with surgery & side-
effects.

Andrea Bargnani is nicknamed "Il Mago" in Itallian (translated "The
Magician"), and "The Itallian Stallion" in Toronto. He won "rookie of
the month" TWICE (the only major league "rook" to do that!)

Despite leading Toronto to a 20 win improvement (from 27 to 47)
Andrea finishing a close 2nd to Brandon Roy (of the charity-case
Trail Blazers who padded his stats with continual "gargage time"
while our, more deserving R.O.Y., "Il Mago" WON the Atlantic
championship with a team that doubled their wins this season, when he
joined.  Sorry, but I tend to "run-on" when I get mad!

GARBOJOSA:  This rook is "cool"! In addition to winning the 2006
world championship for Spain (with Raptor team-mate Calderon),
Garbajosa also made the all-tournament team, with Spanish super-star
teammate Pau Gasol.

Garbojosa was named "Basketball's Mister Europa 2006" by Euro hoops
magazine, "SuperBasket". NBA players given this prized award, in the
last couple seasons, include Dirk Nowitzki (2005) and Pau Gasol
(2004).

Like fellow ex Euro star, Raptor team-mate Anthony Parker, Jorge is a
TEAM-orienter "glue guy", not interested in his own personal NBA
stats (sorry fantasy NBA G.M.'s) as long as we WIN. God bless
you "glue" guys!!!  This is the face of the NEW passing NBA.  I LOVE
his game!

Thank you.

> You can access them at this link...
> http://sports.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/rappak/photos
> ...enjoy!
>

As the NBA season winds down, I've been reviewing some of my
favourite images and photographs, including 90% NBA photos (and most
of them Raptor players).  I wanted to share them, with YOU, so I've
added 4 albumns of 16 photos each (you can do the math).

1)  My original first albumn is 100% NBA photographs.  It was
uploaded long ago, but I've added some newer photos today, and
eliminated some poor ones.

2)  The 2nd, called "My favourite Hoops photos" includes about a
dozen NBA pics & at least 3 photos of the 2006-2007 Ontario champion
University of Windsor Lancers, the alma mater of several people
associated with the Raptors, including original owner Bitove, and
chairman of the board of Maple Leaf Sports Richard Peddie...and me.


In fact the national championship trophy is named after the Windsor
Lancers' Athletic Director who won all 5.  Our school was far and
away #1 in Canada (knocking off top NCAA Div I opponents)long before,
finally, new recruiting limitations brought "parity", making a
national tournament possible.  Even then, we won 5 of the first 8
years, plus losing (on the road in the Maritimes) to a home Acadia U.
team, by just 1 pt, in over-time (almost winning a 6th championship
in 8 years).

The C.I.S. lists Windsor with 4 national titles, but we won as
Assumption college (the year before the U of W name was 1st
used)...so we have 5 CIS hoop trophies...(so far).  I won't bore you
with more recent days (25 years ago), when I was manager of the
university's radio station, and we were rated #1 going into the
national bb championships, but got "bushwacked" by the under-the-
radar St Mary's team, in the 1st of their 4 consecutive championships.

3)  A 3rd album called, "Just For Fun", includes funny moments from
NBA games, PLUS a few fun photos that are from other sports, or
animals (from the "dog pound").  It includes some ball-busting
photography of painful (and some funny)moments in sports.

4)  The 4th album is all "Play-off Memories" photographs, celebrating
our first time back in 5 years!  1st of many more!!  This includes
a "half man" traitor hugging his protege (CB4) sadly.  It also
includes the happy "Raptor Red" fans, our team captains shaking
hands, Kidd "breaking ankles" & Jose hurt badly, Sam "winning the
trophy", and a very upset Bosh "ripped off" by a horrible call
(etc.)!!!

You can access them at this link...
http://sports.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/rappak/photos
...enjoy!

Ya I hear ya. But....

They said the exact same thing... In fact the exact same thing when
MSN canceled out all their groups with only three days notice.

If you think its bad with Yahoo and coziness wait til Bill's boys get
here.

Its just prudent to create a mirror site over at google. It can stay
dormant.


--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, rappak <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> You should've been here when this site used to be a Yahoo "club." Back
> then we had a cozy two-frame layout and lots of activity. Then Yahoo
> bought out eGroups and changed the layout to this bland page with a
> huge banner at the top. It became less and less a site for Raptor
> discussion. After 8 years, the Rap Pak site is still here and I doubt
> it's going anywhere.
>
> --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Gord C" <gordc238@> wrote:
> >
> > I don't know about this Yahoo MSN merger talks. Personally I think it
> > sucks. I recall what MSN did to its groups about three years ago.
> > Without warning they canceled all of them.
> >
> > Maybe we should make a mirror group site over at Google. If MSN comes
> > on board then maybe we should leave Yahoo en mass. Its the only weapon
> > we have as users.
> >
>