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.
> >
>

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.
>

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.

Good game.   Good series.   Good season.

  Good T E A M!!!   Good progress!!!  I LOVE this game!!!

I have "NO regrets"!!!   I knew the fat lady was getting ready to
sing, but I believe in "moral victories", and game 6 WAS one!!!

I believe we'll get them next time!  Would you accept free-agent
Vince Carter back, if that's what he was saying to Chris Bosh?

I think Mo is gone.  There are 4 free agents on the squad, not
including Sam Mitchell.  Sadly, we have NO (1st round) draft pick.

Over and above one more year of development, for our young team (and
inexperienced coaches)... lessons R learned from mistakes ... the
free agents are probably "where the improvement will come from".

Sorry Mo...but it may be time to GO.   Some team NEEDS you!  Sam
doesn't think he does.

Sam may leave too, but Bryan will offer him a raise (but someone else
might over-pay for "the coach of the YEAR").

I trust Bryan to pick a winner to replay him, like NCAA double-
champion, U of Florida's highly desirable "genius"  Billy Donavan.

See you around draft time, or perhaps during pre-season.  Everyone
have a nice May 5 "Cinco Day".

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-ISngy3A9bqulHVeLd5G2JKpsN.kz7g--?cq=1

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, carterfactor <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Playoff basketball is about bringing your A game every night. You
can
> live off playing your B or C game at times in the regular season,
but
> not in the playoffs.
>
> The nervousness in the first game cost them. In that game, I think
> they tried to bring their A+++ game and, so, were out of synch. All
it
> took was for the players to settle down and have confidence in their
> abilities, their teammate's abilities and the system. The Raptors
> found their A game in game 5, but by then, it was too late.
>
> I hate to admit it, but the lack of experience, from the coaches to
> the players, really did do the Raptors in.
>
> Let's hope the players, as well as the coaches, learn from this
loss.
>
> BTW, the Suns will beat the Bulls in one of the greatest finals
we'll
> ever see.
>

Playoff basketball is about bringing your A game every night. You can
live off playing your B or C game at times in the regular season, but
not in the playoffs.

The nervousness in the first game cost them. In that game, I think
they tried to bring their A+++ game and, so, were out of synch. All it
took was for the players to settle down and have confidence in their
abilities, their teammate's abilities and the system. The Raptors
found their A game in game 5, but by then, it was too late.

I hate to admit it, but the lack of experience, from the coaches to
the players, really did do the Raptors in.

Let's hope the players, as well as the coaches, learn from this loss.

BTW, the Suns will beat the Bulls in one of the greatest finals we'll
ever see.

Another Canookie, is proud of the Raptors.... and all
involved.

Just need a center and a banger and next year will be
even more exciting.

Good work guys !! Goood work coaches !!!




--- Jaye <xraytech@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone...
>
> I'm new...and did a search on the net for this
> group.
>
> Even though we lost tonight, I just wanted to say
> how proud I am of the
> Toronto Raptors this year.  They were amazing...and
> they did this city
> proud!  They went down fighting...congratulations
> guys!
>
> Canookie
>
>



       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

Hi everyone...

I'm new...and did a search on the net for this group.

Even though we lost tonight, I just wanted to say how proud I am of the
Toronto Raptors this year.  They were amazing...and they did this city
proud!  They went down fighting...congratulations guys!

Canookie

Times are a-changin'. Zone defense is eliminating the slow, post-up
bigman, as these playoffs have shown so far.

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, lumberkingmike <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> This one is even older.  I said "The best defence for keeping Sam
> Mitchell is  that he went to Emery, behind Babcock's back.  Maybe Sam
> IS brilliant, beyond our understanding."
>
> And I said  "Maybe he's a new generation or "minamalist" coach, who
> developes men, instead of strategies.  Perfect for a young team.  In
> fact, I think Sam will soon be a fine coach."
>
> I ADMIT...saying "developes men, instead of strategies." sounds like
> a Director of Player Development, not an x's and 0's head coach, but
> no one knows what goes on behind closed doors!
>
> --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@> wrote:
> >
> >    Our "five-tool" G.M. Bryan needs an iron fist, in a soft glove.
> >  We only win if cut-throat decisions are being made at the top!!!
> >  I'd replace Sam, but I could be dead wrong.
> >
> >    Stop looking to Peddie for answers, it is Bryan's show now.  With
> >  his great rep, whatever he does is OK by me (for next season at
> >  least), even if he keeps Sam!!!
> >
> >    On second thought, an NBA championship in Toronto would be a pure
> >  miracle.  Still, God works through men, and Bryan may be His arm
> >  extended to the Raptors.  I believe in miracles.  To believe in
> >  the Raptors...you have to believe in miracles!
> >
> >    Thank you Mr Peddie for admitting that Babcock would not have
> >  made it happen for us.   That firing, "out-of-the-blue", angered me
> >  at the time.  Babcock was a nice polite man (he'd have made a good
> >  Canadian) like GG;  but the sudden firing was a brilliant act.
> >
> >    Thank you Mr Emery for renewing our faith in miracles.  Do you
> >  know how few NBA teams have cap space?!?  Less than a quarter have
> >  cap space!!! But another quarter will spend like there's NO cap.
> >
> >    The best defence for keeping Sam is that he went to Emery, behind
> >  Babcock's back.  Maybe Sam's brilliant beyond our understanding.
> >  Maybe he's a new generation or "minamalist" coach, who developes
> >  men, instead of strategies.  Perfect for a young team.
> >
> >    In fact, I think Sam will soon be a fine coach.  Like you,
> >  I see him as a great NBA assistant coach, trying to learn the head
> >  coach position.  I just wish we got him after he learned it
> >  somewhere else.
> >
> >    Bryan may have decided Sam is devoping very nicely.
> >  Yesterday is gone!  Tomorow is ALL that matters.
> >
> >    I expect to hate Bryan's cut-throat moves this off season, but I
> >  fully trust that my faith in Bryan will make me mistrust my own
> >  opinions.  I'll miss our loveable losers, and I'll be saddened by
> >  the turn-over;  but I expect brilliant acts.
> >
> >     I promise not to throw water on Bryan's firestorm!
> >
> >     Can you spell "honeymoon"?!?
> >
>

This one is even older.  I said "The best defence for keeping Sam
Mitchell is  that he went to Emery, behind Babcock's back.  Maybe Sam
IS brilliant, beyond our understanding."

And I said  "Maybe he's a new generation or "minamalist" coach, who
developes men, instead of strategies.  Perfect for a young team.  In
fact, I think Sam will soon be a fine coach."

I ADMIT...saying "developes men, instead of strategies." sounds like
a Director of Player Development, not an x's and 0's head coach, but
no one knows what goes on behind closed doors!

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@...> wrote:
>
>    Our "five-tool" G.M. Bryan needs an iron fist, in a soft glove.
>  We only win if cut-throat decisions are being made at the top!!!
>  I'd replace Sam, but I could be dead wrong.
>
>    Stop looking to Peddie for answers, it is Bryan's show now.  With
>  his great rep, whatever he does is OK by me (for next season at
>  least), even if he keeps Sam!!!
>
>    On second thought, an NBA championship in Toronto would be a pure
>  miracle.  Still, God works through men, and Bryan may be His arm
>  extended to the Raptors.  I believe in miracles.  To believe in
>  the Raptors...you have to believe in miracles!
>
>    Thank you Mr Peddie for admitting that Babcock would not have
>  made it happen for us.   That firing, "out-of-the-blue", angered me
>  at the time.  Babcock was a nice polite man (he'd have made a good
>  Canadian) like GG;  but the sudden firing was a brilliant act.
>
>    Thank you Mr Emery for renewing our faith in miracles.  Do you
>  know how few NBA teams have cap space?!?  Less than a quarter have
>  cap space!!! But another quarter will spend like there's NO cap.
>
>    The best defence for keeping Sam is that he went to Emery, behind
>  Babcock's back.  Maybe Sam's brilliant beyond our understanding.
>  Maybe he's a new generation or "minamalist" coach, who developes
>  men, instead of strategies.  Perfect for a young team.
>
>    In fact, I think Sam will soon be a fine coach.  Like you,
>  I see him as a great NBA assistant coach, trying to learn the head
>  coach position.  I just wish we got him after he learned it
>  somewhere else.
>
>    Bryan may have decided Sam is devoping very nicely.
>  Yesterday is gone!  Tomorow is ALL that matters.
>
>    I expect to hate Bryan's cut-throat moves this off season, but I
>  fully trust that my faith in Bryan will make me mistrust my own
>  opinions.  I'll miss our loveable losers, and I'll be saddened by
>  the turn-over;  but I expect brilliant acts.
>
>     I promise not to throw water on Bryan's firestorm!
>
>     Can you spell "honeymoon"?!?
>

I'm not sure, but maybe this one of my old pro-Sam emails, I was
looking for.

The title says it all..It is NOT Sam Mitchell's fault!!!  I said "I
should be depressed, with a 1-15 start in 2006-7, but I'm not."

I even dared to write the words "If Sam Mitchell, turns into a great
head coach...", when ESPN had already branded our Toronto head coach
the WORST in the whole NBA.

I'm sure you thought I was dumb saying that, but it seems prophetic
now!  Maybe we were right to say he's "not good enough".  Maybe he's
still not good enough.  But, like Calderon, he's rising on the
chart!  Watch how good he gets!!!

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@...> wrote:
>
> I sent no emails this time last year.  I was deeply depressed.
>
> I dropped Raptors NBA TV from my cable TV at the end of last
> season too...and did NOT pick it up in time for opening day.
>
> I have not dropped it yet this year.  I am having fun following the
> Raptors.  It sounds trite, but it is an important point.  I expect
> my excitement is just a reflection of "Raptor Nation"!
>
> I think my emails resumed about the same time I resumed following
> the Raptors, and resumed Raptors NBA TV, only AFTER they started to
> rebound from their nasty 1-15 start.
>
> Now that Bryan is on board, that 1-14 finish only seems funny to me
> now.  I should be depressed, with a 1-15 but this time I'm not.  >
> Thanks Mr Peddie for the bold move of dumping Babcock!
>
> Having defended Sam, I must say again that I doubt he'll last in
> Toronto's mean media environment.  I look back on the Lenny Wilkins
> era fondly.  Neither Lenny nor "K.O." had the cards to win with.
>
> If Sam Mitchell  somehow,  turns into a great head coach
> somewhere else after he is axed here, we can blame ourselves
> for our impatience.
>
> Just as Babcock was only learning as a new GM, Mitchell was only
> learning as a new head coach.
>
> I think this whole market (fans, media, etc) is still learning.  I
> think the negativism in the press (and fans) undermines the
> confidence of Sam and his players.  It's also handicapping our
> general managers' ability to get value in trade for guys who
> are criticized by the media, and booed by their own fans!
>
> On the other hand, one ex-GM landed on his feet in the "big apple",
> and look how he's still never learned...but Isaiah Thomas at least
> always drafted well.
>
> Maybe Isaiah Thomas would make a good assistant GM. Giving him the
> keys to the franchise might have been "going a bridge too far", but
> looking back I see the rational.  No doubt Sam would be a great
> assistant coach, but it is too late to put toothpaste back in the
> tube.  He's the man now!
>
> Just as it is not Hoffa's fault that Babcock wasted a lottery pick
> on him, it is not Sam Mitchel's fault that Babcock made him a head
> coach before he was ready and seasoned.  Let him grow into Lenny
> Wilkens' shoes!
>

I think I was prophetic in this old email, saying ...
"Maybe Sam is a facilitator of team rebuilding.  There may be method
in Bryan's madness, in keeping the award winning "worst" coach in the
league!!!"

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@...> wrote:
>
>   Did you realize this weekend is the last chance to decide to
> withdraw from the NBA draft.  Some guys have no game, and might as
> well go back to school, but after this weekend the die is cast, and
> we arm-shair GM's will know our options.
>
>    Did you see in the paper "Former Toronto Raptors head coach
Kevin
> O'Neill is returning to his alma mater to host a basketball clinic
> at McGill University on Saturday.
>
> The 49-year-old O'Neill, a native of Chateaugay in upstate New
York,
> is an assistant coach to Rick Carlisle with the Indiana Pacers. He
> coached the Raptors in 2003-04 but was fired at the end of the
> season when the team finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs.
>
> O'Neill was an assistant to Carlisle with the Detroit Pistons in
> 2001-03 and to Jeff Van Gundy with the New York Knicks in 2000-01.
>
> O'Neill was a point guard for the McGill Redmen from 1975 to '78,
> garnering the nickname Mad Dog. He helped the Redmen reach the CIS
> national championship tournament in 1977-78 when the team went a
> school record 28-5 for the season.
>
> O'Neill joined the NBA coaching ranks in 2000 after 20 seasons as a
> coach at the collegiate level.
>
> I bet if we stuck with O'Neil we wouldn't be 1-14 at the end of
this
> season ...  and would've exceeded 1-15 to start it, for that
> matter ... but we might not have won the lottery with KO.
>
> Maybe Sam is a facilitator of team rebuilding.  There may be method
> in Bryan's madness, in keeping the award winning "worst" coach in
> the league.  Maybe we need to target last place to draft the super-
> center from Buffalo, NY who'll go #1 a year from now!!!
>

This was Gord's well worded responce to my "hope is rising" email.
Gord said, very wisely, "He's got to get the team up to 41 wins or his
future unsigned contract is paperbasket liner."  Well said, and
probably true (we may never know).  "41 wins" eh???  Is 47 OK?

I am always an optimist!  Even when they stumbled coming out of the
gate, this season, I still believed "HOPE IS RISING"!!!

But I'm now going to be OK with tomorrow being the LAST game this year,
with BOTH point guards injured in that gritty win in game 5 tuesday.

I never suggested we'd reach Gord's 41 target.  No one did.  But 47 is
enough for now!

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Gord C" <gordc238@...> wrote:

> if he hasn't got this particular team going by January, then
> take a deep breath. He's got to get the team up to 41 wins or his
> future unsigned contract is paperbasket liner.
>
> After looking over the record of the Phoenix Suns, the question
> that springs to mind is that why all the fondulating over Brian
> Colangelo? If he took over from papa in 2001 they didn't get good
> until Nash. If the Raptors had Nash they'd win too. Why copy
> a basketball template which hasn't won a championship?
>

I dredged up this old email about Sam.  I'm still looking for the
particular pro-rant I remember writing.  As I read this, I recalled
the environment of "fire Sam" mentality in which I wrote it.  Like
you all, I was disrespectful to coach...sorry!!!

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@...> wrote:
>
> I can see Sam's "man in the locker-room" (and on the bench),
Martin,
> looking and sounding like a budding head coach.
>
> D Martin already handles press questions like a pro with PR
skills!
> When he smiles to the interviewer, you know he is friendly, and
> comfortable in his own skin.  Mitchell smiles like a kid caught
with
> his hand in the cookie jar in interviews.
>
> Sam Mitchell is answering obvious questions with smiling anger,
very
> dry (and insulting) humour, and a nasty attitude that I'd rather
see
> in the players than the head coach.
>
> Sam will not get respect from others until he gives them respect.
> Toronto may be hockey country, but the basketball reporters are not
> complete idiots.  Nor are fans who doubt Sam's skills dumb morons.
>
> I believe Sam is NO dummy either, but it is hard to respect a guy
> who has such a self-centered "bunker" mentality when challenged to
> answer a question.  Good coaches can be more generous.  Smart
> coachs know they NEED those questioning scribes and patrons.
>
> I'd love to know what the lone Canadian coach is thinking.  Jay
> Triano has worked with three Toronto Raptors head coaches, three
> general managers, and a revolving door of players every year (this
> year being the topper with only a few returning veterans).
>
> Kevin O'Neil tried to instill defence, which has been sadly lacking
> under Sam Mitchell, but the revolving door is stopping at floor "D"
> this year!!!
>
> "In the past we tried to influence guys one way or the other
> [to help], but we're saying, 'Hey, you have to guard the
> guy," Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell said yesterday. "We're
> giving guys two jobs: You have to keep your guy in front
> of you and also contest [his] shots."
>
> "So now the onus is on that guy!"  Is it Sam's new coaching style?
> Is it an influx of defence-minded newbies who need no encouragement
> to focus on defence???
>
> it seems obvious that Mitchell has not performed this miracle on
> Defence.  It is the individual "lock-down" players toiling without
> good teamwork (more the fault of little time to gel than Sam's own
> shortcomings).
>
> This looks good for Sam to stay as coach.  The new guys need
> somebody to look to!  Maybe this team will be good some day soon!!
>
> Still, you have to give our team time to gel.  That may not take
> long, but if it takes years I'd want some stability to allow
> teamwork to develop.  Sam Mitchell would help stablize the club.
>
> Now, when the crowd chants "Defence -- Defence -- Defernce!!!"
> there's enough basketball IQ on the floor to respond to the call!
>

I wrote this along time ago.  It is not my most pro-Mitchell email,
but I think I hit the nail on the head!!!  I was saying STOP calling
for Sam Mitchell's head...it's not going to happen!!!

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <lumberkingmike@...> wrote:
>
>   Let's all stop holding our breath for Sam to be fired.  It is NOT
> happening.  The more time passes, the more evidence that he's
> staying.
>
>    The new point guard is a fan (friend?)of Sam Mitchell,
> and Ford said he hopes to have him as coach long term.
>
>    Chris bosh LIKES him!  Sam Mitchell's job is SAFE
> if the Raptors improve (as expected!).
>
>    Embry likes him too!
>
>    Recently, in an interview I saw, Sam Mitchell bravely bragging
>  on himself...
> essentially saying that he is creating "team unity" on the squad;
> and dared to suggest players need to fit in or be gone!!!  Wow!!!
>
>    Them's fighting words.  He knows his job is secure.  We need to
> see the writing on the wall.
>
>    Sam's safe until the fickle fans start booing again,
> and maybe even beyond then.
>
>    Bryan sees something in Sam.  I trust Bryan, so I trust Sam!
>

Yes WE were mercyless in criticizing Sam Mitchell.  I've found fault,
and suggested he lose his job when his contract ends, like most of
you, and crow IS on the menu.  It's what we deserve!

Still I wonder if Bryan will find his "arm too short" when he reaches
for enough money to keep the popular Sam here.  Bryan may be "forced"
to hire someone even better!

I doubt that we have the coaching advantage tomorrow in Jersey.  If
we bushwack the swamp creatures I'll join you for a nice crow meal.
Fowl meat is supperior to red meat anyway.  Maybe crow tastes good.

I doubt you can remember this, but I was slightly Sam's defender. I
recall one long rant I wrote entirely in favor of Sam Mitchell, when
the Rap Pack were attacking like a wolf pack. Someday I'll find my
old email and quote from it.

Even before we ran out of point guards, Sam was signalling that Rasho
needed replacing (by Bargnani).  Rasho has helped Bosh, but he gets
no "props".  Is a better center what we need to win it all?!?

I'm prepared to "enjoy" our LAST game of the year tomorrow!!!

Imagine us with Shaquille O'Neill, the NBA's "big daddy". He may be
the most dominant player in the basketball WORLD today.  Maybe he'll
(not)demand a trade to Toronto. :-)

He's a proud man. He can't be happy with the "Heat" crapping out in 4
straight against the Windy City. Just as "paper covers rock", wind
beats the Heat, any FAN (no pun intended) knows!!!

My Toronto Raptors started a scrawny Italian rookie at center,
Bargnani, in our home win against New Jersey, in the latest game.
Maybe we need our own Shaq Daddy.  Bargnani is a "center" with small
forward skills.  What free agents are out there?  Any point guards.

Is our veteran center injured?  Was he the problem in New Jersey???
I doubt it. I like his game.  We need his calm play-off experience
right now!

Bring back Rasho!  Move the "Itallian Stallian" to small forward!!!

Ben Wallace's Chicago Bulls sent Shaquille O'Neill fishing, setting
up a grudge match, like our Raptors up-hill "holy war" against Vince
(traitor) Carter & the Jersey "swamp" creatures.

I can't wait to see this "grudge match"...Detroit vs "traitor" BIG
BEN!!!

If we had a big center, our Raptors could be golfing like the Miami
Heat. With both our point guards (Ford & Calderon) injured in that
rough-and-tumble game 5 victory, we don't need a BIG man, we need
prayers!

Each series in the Eastern NBA play-offs was a 4-0 blow-out EXCEPT
for the Raptors, who play game 6 on Friday in the Swamp. Our only
healthy point guard is veteran, seldom used player/coach Darrik
Martin...he's good for 5 minutes...who'll cover the other forty-
three?!?

O.K. we criticized Sam Mitchell over and over again
and he deserved it, but what we didn;t know was that
he must have gotten the confidence of his players
behind the scenes, because he was REAL and human.

They played for him out of respect. There's no doubt
about it. He might not have been the sharpest coach in
the world but he did improve and he must have been
humble enough to admit it. Apparently his personal
life was all about struggle and persistence despite
the hardships, so let's eat humble pie and
CONGRATULATE SAM.

He went from the worst coach in the league to the
BEST....  at least in improvement. Chris Bosh probably
wouldn't have resigned if Sam was so bad. Sam must be
a 'good person' that us from the sidelines never
really knew about.

So good for Sam, and maybe he is worth bringing back
for another stint. He has the fire and enthusiasm. He
has the passion for winning, so maybe he is a KEEPER.
And maybe we should be eating humble pie and admit it.




--- lumberkingmike <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> I wonder if Wilkins or Isaiah Thomas might energize
> their former NBA
> team, as guest speakers or play-off guest coaches.
> On second thought
> bring back Gene Keady to "coach the coach" and add
> an NBA
> championship ring to his "Hall of Fame" resume!!!
>
> Could we use 51 pts off the bench Friday?
>
> With Garbo out for the duration (and not yet
> replaced), can I just
> say...
> Darius Rice
> Birthdate: 10/16/82
> NBA Position: Forward
> College: Miami
> Experience: Euro League
> NBDL: 51 points winning championship!
> NBA sized: 6-10 (215 lbs)
>
> Maybe if we get Darius Rice we can also attract some
> help, or at
> least some great publicity via his uncle, the great
> Jerry Rice!!!
>
> I have read an OLD scouting report on Darius Rice.
> It says "Deadeye
> shooter with range out to pro 3. Super long arms and
> legs give him an
> advantage on offense and defense. Moves very well
> for a 6-10 player
> and will undoubtably play on the perimeter in the
> NBA. Not a freak
> athletically, but his run/jump ability is very good.
> Intelligent
> player."
>
>
>



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I wonder if Wilkins or Isaiah Thomas might energize their former NBA
team, as guest speakers or play-off guest coaches.  On second thought
bring back Gene Keady to "coach the coach" and add an NBA
championship ring to his "Hall of Fame" resume!!!

Could we use 51 pts off the bench Friday?

With Garbo out for the duration (and not yet replaced), can I just
say...
Darius Rice
Birthdate: 10/16/82
NBA Position: Forward
College: Miami
Experience: Euro League
NBDL: 51 points winning championship!
NBA sized: 6-10 (215 lbs)

Maybe if we get Darius Rice we can also attract some help, or at
least some great publicity via his uncle, the great Jerry Rice!!!

I have read an OLD scouting report on Darius Rice.  It says "Deadeye
shooter with range out to pro 3. Super long arms and legs give him an
advantage on offense and defense. Moves very well for a 6-10 player
and will undoubtably play on the perimeter in the NBA. Not a freak
athletically, but his run/jump ability is very good. Intelligent
player."

Oh, what a night!

You needed to see it to believe it!

When the Denver Nuggets added "A.I." Iverson to bolster a good team
led by star Carmello Anthony, head coach Geo Karl expected to "rev
up" for the Western NBA play-offs.

Last night they invaded Toronto, who they had beaten earlier in
Denver, where #1 rookie Bargnani (right) was AWOL injured, and
BIRTHDAY boy Chris Bosh (left in pic) had to cover for the rook, and
defend home court with starter Tony Parker also AWOL (injured) too.

Surprise!!!

Our Atlantic first place Toronto Raptors made Denver look
like "lottery-bound" losers tonight!

We had two top players out (Parker and Bargnani) with injuries, and
one rookie (P.J. Tucker) gone to the NBDL development club: but the
depth of the bench produced a 121-94 home win over Denver, a Western
Conference play-off team.

Denver had its winning streak come to an end (Thursday) the night
before, losing a 109-108 "heart-breaker" in Chicago; and "struggled"
in Toronto on the back end of a "back-to-back" (2 games in 2 nights).

Iverson did not blame the schedule, saying "Last night was last
night!" in his post game interview. His coach Geoge Karl agreed (and
may have instructed "A.I." to praise Toronto").  So did young star
Carmelo Anthony, who is a hot head sometimes;  but was surprisingly
flattering to our host team.

After suffering their second loss, after almost two weeks of solid
wins, the Denver Nuggets were no match for the under-manned Toronto
Raptors, when the teams concluded their season series tonight
(Friday).

Former Toronto first round draft pick Camby, Denver's star center,
unfortunately missed his road game (Denver's only Toronto visit)
against his old team, due to back spasms.

But Toronto was missing two key guys...injured starter Parker, a
terrific two-way performer, and sharp-shooting "6th man" Bargnani.

Blake had 15 for Denver, and he was just third highest in that
category.

I would not have expected Allan "The Answer" Iverson to score just 14
pts.; and the highest scorer for TEAM USA, Carmello "Franchise Star"
Anthony to barely hit double figures with 10 pts...until I saw it
with my own eyes!

Their coaches were not satisfied with the team's total lack of effort
on defense. In fact, Karl was so mad that he and his assistants
stayed away from the players at half time, talking in a public
hallway, before many interested observers who tried to listened in.

Off the bench, Kleiza and J.R. Smith lead the Nuggets with 20 pts.
each.

Happy Birthday Chris "CB4" Bosh

It was a tough night for Toronto all star Chris Bosh on his birthday.

Big Bosh was the only starter (including the guards) who did NOT have
3 rebounds by the end of the 1st quarter (a curious stat) and was
AWOL on the boards until his night was shortened by injury.

The star of the Raptors got injured, landing on a Nugget's foot,
early in the second half, and left the game, never to return. But the
game was decided by then!

Toronto's two Texan buddies Bosh & Ford, the team's 1-2 punch
usually, had a respectable 14 points each for Toronto. Ford also had
14 assists.

Veteran "iron man" Mo Peterson, who had been in a bad slump, provided
energy, and led all scorers in the game with 23 points off the bench
(and a "flagrant foul" that he did not deserve).

Starting Raptor starter Nesterovic had only 4 rebounds, but had a
great game keeping Denver off the scoreboard with defence (he
deserved that "flagrant foul", when he and Mo simultaneously fouled,
but Rasho did the damage), and FIVE of Toronto's 9 blocked shots.

Rookie all star, starting forward Garbajosa, who tallied 17 pts. at
Denver in their last meeting, had 22 pts (more than anyone, on either
team, except Mo) in this blow-out. He also had to battle for 40
minutes, on a gimpy knee, with Bosh injured (and out) in the middle
of the third quarter.

Get Well "Italian Stallion" Bargnani


Bargnani, the No. 1 overall pick in the most recent NBA draft, could
be out for weeks after undergoing an appendectomy.

He was averaging 11.5 points (with lots of treys) and 3.9 rebounds
off the bench, plus assists, and blocked shots in his rookie NBA
season.

Bargnani & Garbajosa were BOTH on the NBA All Star rookie team.

Garbajosa was "rookie of the month" in the NBA East one month, so far
this season & Bargnani was named twice!

The Raptors continue to miss injured starting forward Anthony Parker,
a two time MVP (a la Nash) in the Euro League; but team depth met the
challenge.

With Parker out, the newest acquisition (on trade deadline day) Juan
Dixon started om his place, and played great defense on Iverson,
adding 11 points and 5 rebounds.

All 12 dressed Toronto Raptors got floor time, and all 12 figured in
the score board for Toronto.

Three Raptor bench guys were key contributers.

Joey Graham (5 boards) and newly-reactivated Jose Calderon (6 assists
on his first game back from an ankle injury), contributed 8 points
each. Kris Humphries (6 rebounds) added 7 pts.

These 3 had not played much lately, but had obviously "stayed ready
for the call". All brought energy and effort, that wore down the
visitors.

In the late minutes head coach Sam Mitchell also put the three guys
at the end of the bench into the contest.

European rookie Uros Slokar had 3 pts in 4 min., African sophmore
Pape Sow (an NBDL double-double guy last season) , in just 2 min.,
added 2 rebounds and 2 points; and veteran third string point guard
(and unpaid extra coach) Derrik Martin in 2 minutes contributed 1
board and 1 dime during "garbage time".

Salami & Cheese

It was Chuck Swartzsky bobble head night, saluting the "voice of the
Raptors" for 9 seasons. Early after half time, he enthusiasticly
gushed "Get out the salami & cheese Mama, this game is OVER!!!"

Many in the crowd shouted "Swartzsky", giving Chuck credit for this
rare crushing victory over a good opponent.

No doubt there will be another bobble-head night again in the future.

The Toronto Raptors today traded guard Fred Jones and future
considerations to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Juan Dixon.

The future considerations scare me a bit, but I trust Bryan.  This is
the tip off that we got the best of the deal, or else Portland would
have to throw in the future considerations!

This trade is close to "even steven"!

Going into this year our Charlie V and newly acquired Raptor
quarterback Ford were almost equal in value on all the player ratings
that I saw!

Fred Jones and new Raptor Juan Dixon are even more identical, in age,
skills, position, height and "player rating" now and through their
careers.   They were ranked "back-to-back" by CBS Sportsline, 32 and
33 among NBA shooting guards pre-season.

Slightlty different skills, but both are "combo" guards with
relatively equal scoring ability, and good point guard skills for a
two guard.

They're equal in experience & maturity, right up to their similar
age, and the identical year they were both mid 1st round NBA draft
picks.

Jones might be a better scorer (although many favor Dixon)...but
Dixon has the better scoring stats.
Vice versa on the passing, and "court vision" at the point.   Dixon
may have better over-all up-side, based on Bryan's great trade
record, and the "future considerations" in this deal.

Frankly, after Wade's aweful injury (which kills Miami's chances ...
and my Roto team too!!!);  and recent injuries to our point guards
Calderon and Ford, I like Dixon's better playmaking and court vision,
over Jones' strength and occasional dunking.

The bottom line is that they are BOTH the kind of quality individual
that Bryan targets!  Good team mates, on the court, on the bench, in
the locker room, and also "hanging together" around town.

Jones, who went to the University of Oregon and lives in Portland
during the offseason, is averaging 7.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4
assists in 39 games. He has made nine starts.

For his career, Jones has played in 284 games with 28 starts,
averaging 7.7 points, 2.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. He
recently missed eight games with a dislocated middle finger in his
right hand, and saw lottle floor time (producing little for the team
when he did play).

He had a great pre-season.   Either he peaked for the pre-season (to
make a good impression on his new team), or picked up a lingering
injury ... or "dogged it", a la Carter, trying to get traded.

The 6-foot-2 Jones was the 14th overall pick in the 2002 draft by the
Pacers out of Oregon.

Dixon was taken, out of Maryland, by the Washington Wizards, just
three rounds later, with the 17th overall pick in that same 2002
draft.  He has a year less on his contract, and gets millions less
money per year (giving Bryan salary cap room to extend Calderon).

Both guards were dealt today by the team where they recently signed
as a "free agent" in the off season ...Dixon with the Blazers, in
2005 ... Jones with the Raptors in 2006.

The 6-foot-3 Dixon has averaged 8.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5
assists in Portland, but only made one start.  Yes, Dixon has play-
off experience, and won the NCAA championship in college!!!

The 6-foot-2 Jones is stronger and jumps higher (he won the NBA slam
dunk contest), but his playing time and stats were much lower
(because Toronto is a better team) but not as good a play-maker, and
the team was wasting millions on a guy that Sam had "nailed" to the
bench.

Although both of Juan Dixon's parents died of aides in his teen
years, he overcame that tragedy, and used it to become a GOOD young
man.  He comes from a good extended family, that raised him well,
including a mayor of a major US city!!!.

Going to his home town, Jones now has agreed not to exercise the
player option year of his contract (a very big favor for the Blazers'
GM), meaning his current deal will expire at the end of the 2007-08
season.

He went to a high school just outside Portland, where he was named
the Oregon "Player of the Year" twice.  He stayed in state to play
his NCAA ball with U of Oregon.  Now he is going HOME!!!

It reminds me of high priced talent like Detroit native Chris Webber,
going home mid season to play ... for "minimun" salary (next to
nothing) ... to help his home town Detroit Pistons to WIN;  while
Philadephia fills his pockets with millions in buy-out money.

It also reminds me of traitor "Zo" Mourning ... I guess
we're "mourning" Mourning's costly buy-out (it was also millions of
dollars) money in Toronto, so Zo could return to WIN it all at Miami.

Well the deadline came and went.  The only star moved was Miami Heat
point guard Dwayne Wade (who had been the pride and joy of my roto
Kings)who was MOVED to the inactive list (making NJ keep Their stars
and go for it now).

Good trade Bryan.  You're the man!!!


--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, freewheel_99 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Supposed the deal has been completed though I haven't heard an
> announcement yet.
>
> Basically it is spare part for spare part. I'm sure the Blazers had
> already figured out that Dixon wasn't working for them long term and
> Jones has some ties to the Portland area. Considering that Jones is
> still young, he may be a better fit. If I was Portland i'd probably
do
> the trade.
>
> As for Jones, he was erratic shooting and simply couldn't get off
the
> bench with Peterson and Parker playing so well. He might have been
> able to beat out Joey Graham, but Graham is a SF and Fred Jones cant
> play that position.
>
> Dixon is an interesting aquisition in that he has been playing over
20
> min per game. I don't know where he is going to be playing
considering
> that Fred Jones wasn't playing at all. I'll be disapointed if Graham
> is out of the rotation because Dixon is no bigger than Jones and the
> Raps would lose size on the court. Never a good idea.
>
> One thing is that Dixon CAN shoot. Not the three point shot so much,
> but he's a good shooter from inside the line, and a decent scorer
off
> the bench.
>
> Good luck to Fred Jones. We clearly did not see the best that he has
> to offer.
>

Supposed the deal has been completed though I haven't heard an
announcement yet.

Basically it is spare part for spare part. I'm sure the Blazers had
already figured out that Dixon wasn't working for them long term and
Jones has some ties to the Portland area. Considering that Jones is
still young, he may be a better fit. If I was Portland i'd probably do
the trade.

As for Jones, he was erratic shooting and simply couldn't get off the
bench with Peterson and Parker playing so well. He might have been
able to beat out Joey Graham, but Graham is a SF and Fred Jones cant
play that position.

Dixon is an interesting aquisition in that he has been playing over 20
min per game. I don't know where he is going to be playing considering
that Fred Jones wasn't playing at all. I'll be disapointed if Graham
is out of the rotation because Dixon is no bigger than Jones and the
Raps would lose size on the court. Never a good idea.

One thing is that Dixon CAN shoot. Not the three point shot so much,
but he's a good shooter from inside the line, and a decent scorer off
the bench.

Good luck to Fred Jones. We clearly did not see the best that he has
to offer.

Credit where credit is DUE.

The refs in the Chicago raptors game did a great job
and were totally unBIAS. I was afraid that ref blowing
the whistle on the Bargnani block was an indicator of
things to come, but it wasn't.

You almost forgot about the refs for the rest of the
game, they made very few mistakes. I mean of about
manybe 120 calls during a game, some of them have to
be wrong. they can NOT get every call right. Sometimes
its a shady area and a call could go either way, and
sometimes a ref has to watch the sideline and their
feet when while at the same time looking above to see
if a player tipped the ball with outstretched hands.
give me a break, it can be a difficult occupation, and
with fans and coaches yelling at you and wanting calls
their way. It can be tough.

But these officials were fair and hardly made any real
bad calls, they were professional !!! And I don;t just
say that because we won.

Bosh definitely got fouled 2.5 seconds before the END.
But it could have been overlooked by a partial referee
or a bias referee. And a foul could have been called
by Ford on the last play but the contact was after the
basll had been shot. NO CALL, was an excellent
call...and they made it.

The refs were NOT intimidated by the crowd but tried
to be fair. Good on'em.

And what did scoty Stiles say about that last no call.
'Nah not much contact' suggesting a no call was
acceptable. Now thats a classy coach not trying to
excuse his team with the blaming of officials on one
CALL, when Chicago didn;t play that well all night.

So disregard my rant and fear of BIAS on Bargnani's
block. It was a missed call as it was out of area. But
that crew got it together and did well. I'd nominate
them as FIRST STAR's if I had a chance.

Good on'em. It was inspiring to see them not blow it,
down the stretch !!!


david



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

> The game is on between Totonto and Chicago...
>
> Its only the first quarter break, but I thought I'd
> blast the referee who called a block on Bargnani
> against Sweeney.
>
> And the far referee made the call against Bargnani
> for
> supposedly hitting Seeney near the hoop.
>
> NO, wrong, that referee by refereeing rules can NOT
> make the call. He is not suppose to even be looking
> in
> that area. He has an area responsibility away from
> the
> ball that he MUST be watching to fulfill his duty.
> If
> there is off the ball fouls, etc... he has to cover
> his proper area and can NOT be following or watching
> the ball when not near his area.
>
> So Sam had every right to complain and that ref had
> absolutely not basis for making the call, For by
> rules
> and responsibilities, he blew it. What does it mean,
> it could mean that ref is bias. In overruling a non
> call by the near ref.
>
> The far ref over-ruling a NO CALL by the designated
> ref who made the call of NO CALL has been usurped.
> And
> that ref can be mad as hell because his no call was
> usurped.
>
> There I just hope that devoid ref... doesn't
> continue
> to make poor calls or bias calls or out of area
> calls.
> Make note head of referees. he's a turkey and in
> little leaque referring circles he would be highly
> disciplined, so in the pros you would think it would
> be a much stricter and pronounced. he better learn
> the
> basics.
>
> Nice block Bargnani.....
> --- David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> > Well FREE, in university, we played for a mental
> > midget basketball wise, but he had a heart and
> some
> > fire and so we did do rather well, until some
> > brilliance from the coach would have helped. We
> > bonded irregardless of the coach.
> >
> > So with the addition of these new guys like Garb,
> > Cald, Park, and even Barg, even though seemingly
> > young...they seem mature to me. And has their
> young
> > maturity and good atitude spring from them, or has
> > it
> > been helped by a maturing Sam. I agree Sam is not
> > brilliant and will surely fail in pressure
> > situations.
> > But if even he has inspired true grit from these
> > true
> > grit players, and the crunch a half baked coaching
> > paln can be executed brilliantly by unselfish
> > players
> > can win. Heart and execution can definitely
> overcome
> > mere tactical genius.
> >
> > Phil may be bright, but he would be devastating to
> > the
> > heart to play for in my opinion. Give me a mature
> > Sam
> > without brilliance anyday over somebody like Phil,
> > the
> > derad head Zenist.
> >
> > If Sam got in Carters face I might even applaud
> > that.
> > Mike was cool. Bonner was quite the guy and
> > personality and fan favourite, but als he had slow
> > feet and couldn;t jump. So would have been great
> to
> > have but sometimes players just have to go. Jalen
> > was
> > good but waning and has now waned. How you could
> > misplay them is a rather difficult call.
> >
> > As for isiah, I think he charmed executives to
> hire
> > him, players of course liked him partially due to
> > his
> > playing expertise, but he is definitely dumberr
> than
> > Sam, almost anyone is wiser than Isaiah. But as a
> > player isiah was so smooth, and as a talker he is
> > sooo
> > smooth, and as a coach and GM he is probably
> > soooooooo
> > slow and incoherant.
> >
> > Just my opinion.
> >
> > Keep maturing Sam .......
> >
> > Even if this is your last year, you at least would
> > get
> > another gig somewhere else. Cause at least you got
> > some fire, mix in some semi brilliance with
> > experience
> > and you might make it the good old fashioned way
> via
> >
> > knocks, bruses, and hard work. Caoching does not
> > come
> > easily for Sam, but he might make it cause he's a
> > fighter and even a good guy.
> >
> >
> > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > > He had a physical confrontation with Carter and
> he
> > > asked Alston to
> > > fight with him. He let James run wild on the
> court
> > > and with his mouth,
> > > with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose
> > and
> > > Bonner (among
> > > others) during games.
> > >
> > > If this is the type of coach we are going to see
> > in
> > > the bad times then
> > > I don't want him leading the team during the
> > > pressure cooker of the
> > > playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it
> > > counts, but
> > > eventually in few years I hope this team is
> > playing
> > > in the semi finals
> > > or even further.
> > >
> > > As for respect, well the players have always
> loved
> > > Isiah Thomas
> > > wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel
> > and
> > > quite possibly
> > > the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.
> > >
> > > Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the
> list
> > of
> > > coaching
> > > peculiarities he has in his past and that still
> > > occasionally arise.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Whao..... you may know more than I would want
> to
> > > know
> > > > FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with
> > > James
> > > > or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and
> Rose...
> > > if
> > > > you playing wise that's one thing but
> treatment
> > as
> > > > individuals that would be another.
> > > >
> > > > From what I can gleran from afar, it would be
> > very
> > > > diffciult to come together as they are, unless
> > Sam
> > > was
> > > > getting respectful to them and treating them
> as
> > > men.
> > > > This was my point as I do think previously he
> > was
> > > > treating them as underlyings and incompetent,
> > even
> > > > though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
> > > >
> > > > And yet you also may know what he did to
> > Babcock,
> > > I
> > > > don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now
> > are
>
=== message truncated ===


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Wow. I'll take it and run, but it's back to the drawing board for the
close out offence. That was awful in the dying minutes. Ford and Bosh
need to make plays in the final minutes.

Ford was just passing it around without creating anything. Milt
Palacio could do that. I understand that Mitchell probably felt that
he needed to get his big time PG back in the game and 10 points was a
good lead, but the offense just about came to a halt when Calderon
left. TJ had gotten too cold after watching from the bench for a long
time.

Bosh needed to make himself more available too because they wanted to
get it to him but he just wasn't there. The post up game is what you
need to close out a game when you have a 10 point lead. You can't be
chucking threes unless wide open. Its the post up game that gets
players open shots.

Together, Mitchell, Ford, and Bosh need to sit down and figure out
what they want to do to close out games. Its methodical half court
offense that buries opponents. Peterson and Parker can hit open shots,
but it will be Bosh and Ford who create the opportunities.

I don't know about you guys but I hate when Leo is always telling us
that Mitchell is telling Bargnani to shoot. I love Bargnani's game. I
don't want him to become a chucker. His passing is what will make him
a special player and will make all of his teamates better. A couple of
those passes Bosh should have caught. And those sweet drives. I love
the soft finger roll as much as the dunks.

All that aside, I didn't think the Raptors would take two of three
from the Lakers, Pistons, and Bulls. Beat the Nets and I can can
really start believing in the playoffs.

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> Talk about dumb... when I saw Ford being substituted
> in for Calderon with four and a half minutes left. I
> said to myself, What the heck is Sam doing, Caulderon
> was doing great, Calderon wasn't tired. He was in the
> flow. The game was not over even though Sam was
> bringing in Ford. Ford had not had a good game, kind
> of out of control. So why put Ford in, to close out
> the game.
>
> Sam what are you doing !!! What were you thinking.
>
> Ford didn't do very well in the last four minutes, the
> team wasn;t organized on defense or offense. You
> should have left Calderon in and rewarded him for
> doing so well. Reward the best in the flow, in
> control, point guard with the closing minutes.
>
> You almost blew that game for the Rapts. It should
> have been a no brainer coaster in the End, and the
> Rapts had to pull out a miracle win instead.
>
> Brilliance is definitely not Sam's game.... Talk about
> a rookie mistake, and Sam's in his third year.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The game is on between Totonto and Chicago...
>
> Its only the first quarter break, but I thought I'd
> blast the referee who called a block on Bargnani
> against Sweeney.
>
> And the far referee made the call against Bargnani for
> supposedly hitting Seeney near the hoop.
>
> NO, wrong, that referee by refereeing rules can NOT
> make the call. He is not suppose to even be looking in
> that area. He has an area responsibility away from the
> ball that he MUST be watching to fulfill his duty. If
> there is off the ball fouls, etc... he has to cover
> his proper area and can NOT be following or watching
> the ball when not near his area.
>
> So Sam had every right to complain and that ref had
> absolutely not basis for making the call, For by rules
> and responsibilities, he blew it. What does it mean,
> it could mean that ref is bias. In overruling a non
> call by the near ref.
>
> The far ref over-ruling a NO CALL by the designated
> ref who made the call of NO CALL has been usurped. And
> that ref can be mad as hell because his no call was
> usurped.
>
> There I just hope that devoid ref... doesn't continue
> to make poor calls or bias calls or out of area calls.
> Make note head of referees. he's a turkey and in
> little leaque referring circles he would be highly
> disciplined, so in the pros you would think it would
> be a much stricter and pronounced. he better learn the
> basics.
>
> Nice block Bargnani.....
> --- David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> > Well FREE, in university, we played for a mental
> > midget basketball wise, but he had a heart and some
> > fire and so we did do rather well, until some
> > brilliance from the coach would have helped. We
> > bonded irregardless of the coach.
> >
> > So with the addition of these new guys like Garb,
> > Cald, Park, and even Barg, even though seemingly
> > young...they seem mature to me. And has their young
> > maturity and good atitude spring from them, or has
> > it
> > been helped by a maturing Sam. I agree Sam is not
> > brilliant and will surely fail in pressure
> > situations.
> > But if even he has inspired true grit from these
> > true
> > grit players, and the crunch a half baked coaching
> > paln can be executed brilliantly by unselfish
> > players
> > can win. Heart and execution can definitely overcome
> > mere tactical genius.
> >
> > Phil may be bright, but he would be devastating to
> > the
> > heart to play for in my opinion. Give me a mature
> > Sam
> > without brilliance anyday over somebody like Phil,
> > the
> > derad head Zenist.
> >
> > If Sam got in Carters face I might even applaud
> > that.
> > Mike was cool. Bonner was quite the guy and
> > personality and fan favourite, but als he had slow
> > feet and couldn;t jump. So would have been great to
> > have but sometimes players just have to go. Jalen
> > was
> > good but waning and has now waned. How you could
> > misplay them is a rather difficult call.
> >
> > As for isiah, I think he charmed executives to hire
> > him, players of course liked him partially due to
> > his
> > playing expertise, but he is definitely dumberr than
> > Sam, almost anyone is wiser than Isaiah. But as a
> > player isiah was so smooth, and as a talker he is
> > sooo
> > smooth, and as a coach and GM he is probably
> > soooooooo
> > slow and incoherant.
> >
> > Just my opinion.
> >
> > Keep maturing Sam .......
> >
> > Even if this is your last year, you at least would
> > get
> > another gig somewhere else. Cause at least you got
> > some fire, mix in some semi brilliance with
> > experience
> > and you might make it the good old fashioned way via
> >
> > knocks, bruses, and hard work. Caoching does not
> > come
> > easily for Sam, but he might make it cause he's a
> > fighter and even a good guy.
> >
> >
> > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > > He had a physical confrontation with Carter and he
> > > asked Alston to
> > > fight with him. He let James run wild on the court
> > > and with his mouth,
> > > with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose
> > and
> > > Bonner (among
> > > others) during games.
> > >
> > > If this is the type of coach we are going to see
> > in
> > > the bad times then
> > > I don't want him leading the team during the
> > > pressure cooker of the
> > > playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it
> > > counts, but
> > > eventually in few years I hope this team is
> > playing
> > > in the semi finals
> > > or even further.
> > >
> > > As for respect, well the players have always loved
> > > Isiah Thomas
> > > wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel
> > and
> > > quite possibly
> > > the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.
> > >
> > > Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the list
> > of
> > > coaching
> > > peculiarities he has in his past and that still
> > > occasionally arise.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Whao..... you may know more than I would want to
> > > know
> > > > FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with
> > > James
> > > > or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose...
> > > if
> > > > you playing wise that's one thing but treatment
> > as
> > > > individuals that would be another.
> > > >
> > > > From what I can gleran from afar, it would be
> > very
> > > > diffciult to come together as they are, unless
> > Sam
> > > was
> > > > getting respectful to them and treating them as
> > > men.
> > > > This was my point as I do think previously he
> > was
> > > > treating them as underlyings and incompetent,
> > even
> > > > though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
> > > >
> > > > And yet you also may know what he did to
> > Babcock,
> > > I
> > > > don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now
> > are
> > > not
> > > > dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
> > > > extremely competent and professional and have a
> > > PLAN.
> > > >
> > > > But I guess my main query is, do the players
> > have
> > > > confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
> > > > brilliance, but just as a person ?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore
> > the
> > > > > past. He hasn't dealt
> > > > > with many situations in professional manner.
> > He
> > > > > handled players poorly
> > > > > like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused
> > > players
> > > > > like Bonner and
> > > > > Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock
> > in
> > > the
> > > > > back. Regardless
> > > > > of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this
> > > was
> > > > > the man that brought
> > > > > you in and you payed him back in the worst
> > > possible
> > > > > way. This shows
> > > > > bad character that could well arise again in a
> > > > > pressure situation.
> > > > >
> > > > > If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to
> > tie
> > > > > myself to Sam long term.
> > > > >
> > > > > Stability is incredibly important though and
> > the
> > > > > Raptors have had
> > > > > precious little of it during their entire
> > > history.
> > > > > It may be that
> > > > > firing Sam could be a step back in the
> > > rebuilding
> > > > > progression. I guess
> > > > > this will be what BC has to weigh.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > > > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must
> > admit,
> > > for
> > > > > I
> > > > > > also have noticed a change in him from his
> > > tyrates
> > > > > on
> >
> === message truncated ===
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

Talk about dumb... when I saw Ford being substituted
in for Calderon with four and a half minutes left. I
said to myself, What the heck is Sam doing, Caulderon
was doing great, Calderon wasn't tired. He was in the
flow. The game was not over even though Sam was
bringing in Ford. Ford had not had a good game, kind
of out of control. So why put Ford in, to close out
the game.

Sam what are you doing !!! What were you thinking.

Ford didn't do very well in the last four minutes, the
team wasn;t organized on defense or offense. You
should have left Calderon in and rewarded him for
doing so well. Reward the best in the flow, in
control, point guard with the closing minutes.

You almost blew that game for the Rapts. It should
have been a no brainer coaster in the End, and the
Rapts had to pull out a miracle win instead.

Brilliance is definitely not Sam's game.... Talk about
a rookie mistake, and Sam's in his third year.






The game is on between Totonto and Chicago...

Its only the first quarter break, but I thought I'd
blast the referee who called a block on Bargnani
against Sweeney.

And the far referee made the call against Bargnani for
supposedly hitting Seeney near the hoop.

NO, wrong, that referee by refereeing rules can NOT
make the call. He is not suppose to even be looking in
that area. He has an area responsibility away from the
ball that he MUST be watching to fulfill his duty. If
there is off the ball fouls, etc... he has to cover
his proper area and can NOT be following or watching
the ball when not near his area.

So Sam had every right to complain and that ref had
absolutely not basis for making the call, For by rules
and responsibilities, he blew it. What does it mean,
it could mean that ref is bias. In overruling a non
call by the near ref.

The far ref over-ruling a NO CALL by the designated
ref who made the call of NO CALL has been usurped. And
that ref can be mad as hell because his no call was
usurped.

There I just hope that devoid ref... doesn't continue
to make poor calls or bias calls or out of area calls.
Make note head of referees. he's a turkey and in
little leaque referring circles he would be highly
disciplined, so in the pros you would think it would
be a much stricter and pronounced. he better learn the
basics.

Nice block Bargnani.....
--- David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:

> Well FREE, in university, we played for a mental
> midget basketball wise, but he had a heart and some
> fire and so we did do rather well, until some
> brilliance from the coach would have helped. We
> bonded irregardless of the coach.
>
> So with the addition of these new guys like Garb,
> Cald, Park, and even Barg, even though seemingly
> young...they seem mature to me. And has their young
> maturity and good atitude spring from them, or has
> it
> been helped by a maturing Sam. I agree Sam is not
> brilliant and will surely fail in pressure
> situations.
> But if even he has inspired true grit from these
> true
> grit players, and the crunch a half baked coaching
> paln can be executed brilliantly by unselfish
> players
> can win. Heart and execution can definitely overcome
> mere tactical genius.
>
> Phil may be bright, but he would be devastating to
> the
> heart to play for in my opinion. Give me a mature
> Sam
> without brilliance anyday over somebody like Phil,
> the
> derad head Zenist.
>
> If Sam got in Carters face I might even applaud
> that.
> Mike was cool. Bonner was quite the guy and
> personality and fan favourite, but als he had slow
> feet and couldn;t jump. So would have been great to
> have but sometimes players just have to go. Jalen
> was
> good but waning and has now waned. How you could
> misplay them is a rather difficult call.
>
> As for isiah, I think he charmed executives to hire
> him, players of course liked him partially due to
> his
> playing expertise, but he is definitely dumberr than
> Sam, almost anyone is wiser than Isaiah. But as a
> player isiah was so smooth, and as a talker he is
> sooo
> smooth, and as a coach and GM he is probably
> soooooooo
> slow and incoherant.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> Keep maturing Sam .......
>
> Even if this is your last year, you at least would
> get
> another gig somewhere else. Cause at least you got
> some fire, mix in some semi brilliance with
> experience
> and you might make it the good old fashioned way via
>
> knocks, bruses, and hard work. Caoching does not
> come
> easily for Sam, but he might make it cause he's a
> fighter and even a good guy.
>
>
> --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> > He had a physical confrontation with Carter and he
> > asked Alston to
> > fight with him. He let James run wild on the court
> > and with his mouth,
> > with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose
> and
> > Bonner (among
> > others) during games.
> >
> > If this is the type of coach we are going to see
> in
> > the bad times then
> > I don't want him leading the team during the
> > pressure cooker of the
> > playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it
> > counts, but
> > eventually in few years I hope this team is
> playing
> > in the semi finals
> > or even further.
> >
> > As for respect, well the players have always loved
> > Isiah Thomas
> > wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel
> and
> > quite possibly
> > the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.
> >
> > Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the list
> of
> > coaching
> > peculiarities he has in his past and that still
> > occasionally arise.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Whao..... you may know more than I would want to
> > know
> > > FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with
> > James
> > > or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose...
> > if
> > > you playing wise that's one thing but treatment
> as
> > > individuals that would be another.
> > >
> > > From what I can gleran from afar, it would be
> very
> > > diffciult to come together as they are, unless
> Sam
> > was
> > > getting respectful to them and treating them as
> > men.
> > > This was my point as I do think previously he
> was
> > > treating them as underlyings and incompetent,
> even
> > > though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
> > >
> > > And yet you also may know what he did to
> Babcock,
> > I
> > > don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now
> are
> > not
> > > dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
> > > extremely competent and professional and have a
> > PLAN.
> > >
> > > But I guess my main query is, do the players
> have
> > > confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
> > > brilliance, but just as a person ?
> > >
> > >
> > > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > > The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore
> the
> > > > past. He hasn't dealt
> > > > with many situations in professional manner.
> He
> > > > handled players poorly
> > > > like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused
> > players
> > > > like Bonner and
> > > > Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock
> in
> > the
> > > > back. Regardless
> > > > of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this
> > was
> > > > the man that brought
> > > > you in and you payed him back in the worst
> > possible
> > > > way. This shows
> > > > bad character that could well arise again in a
> > > > pressure situation.
> > > >
> > > > If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to
> tie
> > > > myself to Sam long term.
> > > >
> > > > Stability is incredibly important though and
> the
> > > > Raptors have had
> > > > precious little of it during their entire
> > history.
> > > > It may be that
> > > > firing Sam could be a step back in the
> > rebuilding
> > > > progression. I guess
> > > > this will be what BC has to weigh.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must
> admit,
> > for
> > > > I
> > > > > also have noticed a change in him from his
> > tyrates
> > > > on
>
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

The game is on between Totonto and Chicago...

Its only the first quarter break, but I thought I'd
blast the referee who called a block on Bargnani
against Sweeney.

And the far referee made the call against Bargnani for
supposedly hitting Seeney near the hoop.

NO, wrong, that referee by refereeing rules can NOT
make the call. He is not suppose to even be looking in
that area. He has an area responsibility away from the
ball that he MUST be watching to fulfill his duty. If
there is off the ball fouls, etc... he has to cover
his proper area and can NOT be following or watching
the ball when not near his area.

So Sam had every right to complain and that ref had
absolutely not basis for making the call, For by rules
and responsibilities, he blew it. What does it mean,
it could mean that ref is bias. In overruling a non
call by the near ref.

The far ref over-ruling a NO CALL by the designated
ref who made the call of NO CALL has been usurped. And
that ref can be mad as hell because his no call was
usurped.

There I just hope that devoid ref... doesn't continue
to make poor calls or bias calls or out of area calls.
Make note head of referees. he's a turkey and in
little leaque referring circles he would be highly
disciplined, so in the pros you would think it would
be a much stricter and pronounced. he better learn the
basics.

Nice block Bargnani.....
--- David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:

> Well FREE, in university, we played for a mental
> midget basketball wise, but he had a heart and some
> fire and so we did do rather well, until some
> brilliance from the coach would have helped. We
> bonded irregardless of the coach.
>
> So with the addition of these new guys like Garb,
> Cald, Park, and even Barg, even though seemingly
> young...they seem mature to me. And has their young
> maturity and good atitude spring from them, or has
> it
> been helped by a maturing Sam. I agree Sam is not
> brilliant and will surely fail in pressure
> situations.
> But if even he has inspired true grit from these
> true
> grit players, and the crunch a half baked coaching
> paln can be executed brilliantly by unselfish
> players
> can win. Heart and execution can definitely overcome
> mere tactical genius.
>
> Phil may be bright, but he would be devastating to
> the
> heart to play for in my opinion. Give me a mature
> Sam
> without brilliance anyday over somebody like Phil,
> the
> derad head Zenist.
>
> If Sam got in Carters face I might even applaud
> that.
> Mike was cool. Bonner was quite the guy and
> personality and fan favourite, but als he had slow
> feet and couldn;t jump. So would have been great to
> have but sometimes players just have to go. Jalen
> was
> good but waning and has now waned. How you could
> misplay them is a rather difficult call.
>
> As for isiah, I think he charmed executives to hire
> him, players of course liked him partially due to
> his
> playing expertise, but he is definitely dumberr than
> Sam, almost anyone is wiser than Isaiah. But as a
> player isiah was so smooth, and as a talker he is
> sooo
> smooth, and as a coach and GM he is probably
> soooooooo
> slow and incoherant.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> Keep maturing Sam .......
>
> Even if this is your last year, you at least would
> get
> another gig somewhere else. Cause at least you got
> some fire, mix in some semi brilliance with
> experience
> and you might make it the good old fashioned way via
>
> knocks, bruses, and hard work. Caoching does not
> come
> easily for Sam, but he might make it cause he's a
> fighter and even a good guy.
>
>
> --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> > He had a physical confrontation with Carter and he
> > asked Alston to
> > fight with him. He let James run wild on the court
> > and with his mouth,
> > with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose
> and
> > Bonner (among
> > others) during games.
> >
> > If this is the type of coach we are going to see
> in
> > the bad times then
> > I don't want him leading the team during the
> > pressure cooker of the
> > playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it
> > counts, but
> > eventually in few years I hope this team is
> playing
> > in the semi finals
> > or even further.
> >
> > As for respect, well the players have always loved
> > Isiah Thomas
> > wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel
> and
> > quite possibly
> > the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.
> >
> > Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the list
> of
> > coaching
> > peculiarities he has in his past and that still
> > occasionally arise.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Whao..... you may know more than I would want to
> > know
> > > FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with
> > James
> > > or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose...
> > if
> > > you playing wise that's one thing but treatment
> as
> > > individuals that would be another.
> > >
> > > From what I can gleran from afar, it would be
> very
> > > diffciult to come together as they are, unless
> Sam
> > was
> > > getting respectful to them and treating them as
> > men.
> > > This was my point as I do think previously he
> was
> > > treating them as underlyings and incompetent,
> even
> > > though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
> > >
> > > And yet you also may know what he did to
> Babcock,
> > I
> > > don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now
> are
> > not
> > > dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
> > > extremely competent and professional and have a
> > PLAN.
> > >
> > > But I guess my main query is, do the players
> have
> > > confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
> > > brilliance, but just as a person ?
> > >
> > >
> > > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > > The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore
> the
> > > > past. He hasn't dealt
> > > > with many situations in professional manner.
> He
> > > > handled players poorly
> > > > like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused
> > players
> > > > like Bonner and
> > > > Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock
> in
> > the
> > > > back. Regardless
> > > > of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this
> > was
> > > > the man that brought
> > > > you in and you payed him back in the worst
> > possible
> > > > way. This shows
> > > > bad character that could well arise again in a
> > > > pressure situation.
> > > >
> > > > If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to
> tie
> > > > myself to Sam long term.
> > > >
> > > > Stability is incredibly important though and
> the
> > > > Raptors have had
> > > > precious little of it during their entire
> > history.
> > > > It may be that
> > > > firing Sam could be a step back in the
> > rebuilding
> > > > progression. I guess
> > > > this will be what BC has to weigh.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must
> admit,
> > for
> > > > I
> > > > > also have noticed a change in him from his
> > tyrates
> > > > on
>
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Well FREE, in university, we played for a mental
midget basketball wise, but he had a heart and some
fire and so we did do rather well, until some
brilliance from the coach would have helped. We
bonded irregardless of the coach.

So with the addition of these new guys like Garb,
Cald, Park, and even Barg, even though seemingly
young...they seem mature to me. And has their young
maturity and good atitude spring from them, or has it
been helped by a maturing Sam. I agree Sam is not
brilliant and will surely fail in pressure situations.
But if even he has inspired true grit from these true
grit players, and the crunch a half baked coaching
paln can be executed brilliantly by unselfish players
can win. Heart and execution can definitely overcome
mere tactical genius.

Phil may be bright, but he would be devastating to the
heart to play for in my opinion. Give me a mature Sam
without brilliance anyday over somebody like Phil, the
derad head Zenist.

If Sam got in Carters face I might even applaud that.
Mike was cool. Bonner was quite the guy and
personality and fan favourite, but als he had slow
feet and couldn;t jump. So would have been great to
have but sometimes players just have to go. Jalen was
good but waning and has now waned. How you could
misplay them is a rather difficult call.

As for isiah, I think he charmed executives to hire
him, players of course liked him partially due to his
playing expertise, but he is definitely dumberr than
Sam, almost anyone is wiser than Isaiah. But as a
player isiah was so smooth, and as a talker he is sooo
smooth, and as a coach and GM he is probably soooooooo
slow and incoherant.

Just my opinion.

Keep maturing Sam .......

Even if this is your last year, you at least would get
another gig somewhere else. Cause at least you got
some fire, mix in some semi brilliance with experience
and you might make it the good old fashioned way via
knocks, bruses, and hard work. Caoching does not come
easily for Sam, but he might make it cause he's a
fighter and even a good guy.


--- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> He had a physical confrontation with Carter and he
> asked Alston to
> fight with him. He let James run wild on the court
> and with his mouth,
> with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose and
> Bonner (among
> others) during games.
>
> If this is the type of coach we are going to see in
> the bad times then
> I don't want him leading the team during the
> pressure cooker of the
> playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it
> counts, but
> eventually in few years I hope this team is playing
> in the semi finals
> or even further.
>
> As for respect, well the players have always loved
> Isiah Thomas
> wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel and
> quite possibly
> the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.
>
> Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the list of
> coaching
> peculiarities he has in his past and that still
> occasionally arise.
>
>
>
>
> --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
> >
> > Whao..... you may know more than I would want to
> know
> > FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with
> James
> > or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose...
> if
> > you playing wise that's one thing but treatment as
> > individuals that would be another.
> >
> > From what I can gleran from afar, it would be very
> > diffciult to come together as they are, unless Sam
> was
> > getting respectful to them and treating them as
> men.
> > This was my point as I do think previously he was
> > treating them as underlyings and incompetent, even
> > though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
> >
> > And yet you also may know what he did to Babcock,
> I
> > don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now are
> not
> > dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
> > extremely competent and professional and have a
> PLAN.
> >
> > But I guess my main query is, do the players have
> > confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
> > brilliance, but just as a person ?
> >
> >
> > --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > > The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore the
> > > past. He hasn't dealt
> > > with many situations in professional manner. He
> > > handled players poorly
> > > like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused
> players
> > > like Bonner and
> > > Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock in
> the
> > > back. Regardless
> > > of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this
> was
> > > the man that brought
> > > you in and you payed him back in the worst
> possible
> > > way. This shows
> > > bad character that could well arise again in a
> > > pressure situation.
> > >
> > > If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to tie
> > > myself to Sam long term.
> > >
> > > Stability is incredibly important though and the
> > > Raptors have had
> > > precious little of it during their entire
> history.
> > > It may be that
> > > firing Sam could be a step back in the
> rebuilding
> > > progression. I guess
> > > this will be what BC has to weigh.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must admit,
> for
> > > I
> > > > also have noticed a change in him from his
> tyrates
> > > on
> > > > the bench in the beginning, snearing at almost
> > > every
> > > > mistake of his players. It hardly built
> confidence
> > > or
> > > > trust.
> > > >
> > > > I personnally realise from experience going to
> the
> > > > coaching ranks is extremely diffciult in some
> > > ways.
> > > > teaching what comes naturially to an
> experienced
> > > > player and thinking others will instantly
> catch
> > > the
> > > > drift, is naive. And sam was naive. But now he
> > > seems
> > > > to be saying the right things about respecting
> his
> > > > players.
> > > >
> > > > Surely though he is NOT brialliant in his play
> > > calling
> > > > and substitutions etc.. but if he just is a
> mature
> > > > coach that his players like and RESPECT
> because he
> > > > respects them, they will go much muich further
> > > than
> > > > with the OLD SAM who was green behind the
> ears.
> > > >
> > > > I truly didn;t like Sam previously, but maybe
> > > there
> > > > has been a maturing in Sam, he couldn;t say
> the
> > > things
> > > > post game that he is now saying without
> learning
> > > > something aboiut coaching men who are not
> boys.
> > > >
> > > > He may even (GASP CHOKE COUGH) by worth
> keeping if
> > > the
> > > > players will work hard for him and not get too
> > > > frustrated with his lack of brilliance.
> > > >
> > > > Near the end of the game, last night you saw
> > > Peterson
> > > > and Ford at the becnh and it seemed Sam didn;t
> > > have a
> > > > cohesive understandable plan and principle for
> the
> > > > situation and so in that spur of the moment it
> > > seemed
> > > > BOTH Ford and Peterson just went away rather
> > > confused.
> > > > probably meaning Sam was unclear or didn't
> teach
> > > > previously what the moment of decision
> required.
> > > >
> > > > If players start thinking too much about what
> the
> > > > coach wants rather than just reacting by
> instinct
> > > or
> > > > from practice principles then they will be a
> step
> > > > behind and they will be left behind and the
> big
> > > games
> > > > will be lost.
> > > >
> > > > So I think now, the question is, will Sam get
> > > wisdom
> > > > and discernment rather than just maturing. For
> he
> > > may
> > > > even be a nice guy off the court, cause before
> he
> > > > seemed like just a self righteous crank. Maybe
> Sam
> > > is
> > > > a keeper if he keeps learning... (and I would
> > > never
> > > > have said that last year, or the year before)
> > > >
>
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
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He had a physical confrontation with Carter and he asked Alston to
fight with him. He let James run wild on the court and with his mouth,
with no repercussions. He just plain misued Rose and Bonner (among
others) during games.

If this is the type of coach we are going to see in the bad times then
I don't want him leading the team during the pressure cooker of the
playoffs. Fine if we don't expect to win when it counts, but
eventually in few years I hope this team is playing in the semi finals
or even further.

As for respect, well the players have always loved Isiah Thomas
wherever he has been, but he is in fact a weasel and quite possibly
the worst exec the NBA has ever seen.

Sam has a ways to go before I can ignore the list of coaching
peculiarities he has in his past and that still occasionally arise.




--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> Whao..... you may know more than I would want to know
> FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with James
> or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose... if
> you playing wise that's one thing but treatment as
> individuals that would be another.
>
> From what I can gleran from afar, it would be very
> diffciult to come together as they are, unless Sam was
> getting respectful to them and treating them as men.
> This was my point as I do think previously he was
> treating them as underlyings and incompetent, even
> though he seemed to be incompetent as well.
>
> And yet you also may know what he did to Babcock, I
> don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now are not
> dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
> extremely competent and professional and have a PLAN.
>
> But I guess my main query is, do the players have
> confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
> brilliance, but just as a person ?
>
>
> --- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> > The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore the
> > past. He hasn't dealt
> > with many situations in professional manner. He
> > handled players poorly
> > like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused players
> > like Bonner and
> > Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock in the
> > back. Regardless
> > of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this was
> > the man that brought
> > you in and you payed him back in the worst possible
> > way. This shows
> > bad character that could well arise again in a
> > pressure situation.
> >
> > If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to tie
> > myself to Sam long term.
> >
> > Stability is incredibly important though and the
> > Raptors have had
> > precious little of it during their entire history.
> > It may be that
> > firing Sam could be a step back in the rebuilding
> > progression. I guess
> > this will be what BC has to weigh.
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> > <davidjayjordan@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must admit, for
> > I
> > > also have noticed a change in him from his tyrates
> > on
> > > the bench in the beginning, snearing at almost
> > every
> > > mistake of his players. It hardly built confidence
> > or
> > > trust.
> > >
> > > I personnally realise from experience going to the
> > > coaching ranks is extremely diffciult in some
> > ways.
> > > teaching what comes naturially to an experienced
> > > player and thinking others will instantly catch
> > the
> > > drift, is naive. And sam was naive. But now he
> > seems
> > > to be saying the right things about respecting his
> > > players.
> > >
> > > Surely though he is NOT brialliant in his play
> > calling
> > > and substitutions etc.. but if he just is a mature
> > > coach that his players like and RESPECT because he
> > > respects them, they will go much muich further
> > than
> > > with the OLD SAM who was green behind the ears.
> > >
> > > I truly didn;t like Sam previously, but maybe
> > there
> > > has been a maturing in Sam, he couldn;t say the
> > things
> > > post game that he is now saying without learning
> > > something aboiut coaching men who are not boys.
> > >
> > > He may even (GASP CHOKE COUGH) by worth keeping if
> > the
> > > players will work hard for him and not get too
> > > frustrated with his lack of brilliance.
> > >
> > > Near the end of the game, last night you saw
> > Peterson
> > > and Ford at the becnh and it seemed Sam didn;t
> > have a
> > > cohesive understandable plan and principle for the
> > > situation and so in that spur of the moment it
> > seemed
> > > BOTH Ford and Peterson just went away rather
> > confused.
> > > probably meaning Sam was unclear or didn't teach
> > > previously what the moment of decision required.
> > >
> > > If players start thinking too much about what the
> > > coach wants rather than just reacting by instinct
> > or
> > > from practice principles then they will be a step
> > > behind and they will be left behind and the big
> > games
> > > will be lost.
> > >
> > > So I think now, the question is, will Sam get
> > wisdom
> > > and discernment rather than just maturing. For he
> > may
> > > even be a nice guy off the court, cause before he
> > > seemed like just a self righteous crank. Maybe Sam
> > is
> > > a keeper if he keeps learning... (and I would
> > never
> > > have said that last year, or the year before)
> > >
> > >
> > > david
> > >
> > >
> > > PS) Chuck is a great broadcaster and great for the
> > > game !!!! And I do like Leo as well, as ribbing
> > Chuck
> > > isn;t so bad when leo gets ribbed as well. A
> > little
> > > give and take, Mutt and Jeff type humor, I like
> > it,
> > > even though a few times Leo went to far and Chuck
> > was
> > > gracious enough not to get offended. But watch it,
> > > leo, little guys with quicker minds can whop your
> > ass
> > > if you go to far with the wrong comments.
> > > --- lumberkingmike <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > I had the choice to watch the Toronto Raptors'
> > > > Canadian TV coverage,
> > > > featuring you, Chucky "Cheese" Swirtzky, or turn
> > to
> > > > Detroit's play-by-
> > > > play
> > > > man (who is aptly named George BLAH-ha) for
> > last
> > > > night's exciting
> > > > Toronto
> > > > at Detroit NBA game, and it was NO CONTEST!!!
> > > >
> > > > Good job on the game last night!!!  A play-off
> > > > atmosphere is always
> > > > fun!!!
> > > >
> > > > CHUCK, you rule!!!    "No onions" (Leo claims
> > > > wrongly), but big
> > > > SALAMI
> > > > man!!!
> > > >
> > > > Actually, the timing of your unique "Get out the
> > > > Salami & Cheese"
> > > > gush is
> > > > strategic, intentional, and NOT onionless.   It
> > > > follows a big Raptor
> > > > play,
> > > > while our emotions are extremely high.  Good
> > timing
> > > > Chuck...NOT
> > > > onionless.
> > > >
> > > > My son hates onions anyway...so he wants his
> > salami
> > > > & cheese sandwich
> > > > ONIONLESS!!!
> > > > He'll be here for lunch after church today, and
> > the
> > > > will be NO
> > > > ONIONS!!!
> > > >
> > > > I do NOT love the "friendly Chuck-bashing jokes"
> > by
> > > > Leo.  It is not
> > > > my type
> > > > of humour, but thank God Leo doesn't tell bad
> > "ad
> > > > homonym" jokes
> > > > about Sam
> > > > or his players!
> > > >
> > > > They say there's a little truth in every joke
> > > > (that's what make it
> > > > funny).
> > > > That's why much of the best comedy is based on
> > > > current events and
> > > > real-life
> > > > controversies (like Iraq).  I don't see humour
> > as
> > > > "JUST a joke",
> > > > there is
> > > > hidden truth often...at least true perception.
> > > >
> > > > Frankly I don't much like putting down Leo for
> > his
> > > > mere "cup of
> > > > coffee" NBA
> > > > career (defensive perhaps) because it's TRUE!!!
> > > >
> > > > ...for example "No Onions"???...does Mrs.
> > Swartzky
> > > > know about this?!?
> > > >
> > > > ...it seems like SALAMI (& cheese) ENVY that
> > Freud
> > > > thought women had
> > > > toward
> > > > men..
> >
> === message truncated ===
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

Whao..... you may know more than I would want to know
FREE, .... I'm tempted to ask what he did with James
or Carter, and how he misused Bonner and Rose... if
you playing wise that's one thing but treatment as
individuals that would be another.

From what I can gleran from afar, it would be very
diffciult to come together as they are, unless Sam was
getting respectful to them and treating them as men.
This was my point as I do think previously he was
treating them as underlyings and incompetent, even
though he seemed to be incompetent as well.

And yet you also may know what he did to Babcock, I
don;t know.... but B.C. and the management now are not
dumb and are not to be messed with, they seem
extremely competent and professional and have a PLAN.

But I guess my main query is, do the players have
confidence in Sam as a person. Forget basketball
brilliance, but just as a person ?


--- freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore the
> past. He hasn't dealt
> with many situations in professional manner. He
> handled players poorly
> like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused players
> like Bonner and
> Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock in the
> back. Regardless
> of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this was
> the man that brought
> you in and you payed him back in the worst possible
> way. This shows
> bad character that could well arise again in a
> pressure situation.
>
> If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to tie
> myself to Sam long term.
>
> Stability is incredibly important though and the
> Raptors have had
> precious little of it during their entire history.
> It may be that
> firing Sam could be a step back in the rebuilding
> progression. I guess
> this will be what BC has to weigh.
>
>
>
> --- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan
> <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
> >
> > Sam actually may be maturing.... I must admit, for
> I
> > also have noticed a change in him from his tyrates
> on
> > the bench in the beginning, snearing at almost
> every
> > mistake of his players. It hardly built confidence
> or
> > trust.
> >
> > I personnally realise from experience going to the
> > coaching ranks is extremely diffciult in some
> ways.
> > teaching what comes naturially to an experienced
> > player and thinking others will instantly catch
> the
> > drift, is naive. And sam was naive. But now he
> seems
> > to be saying the right things about respecting his
> > players.
> >
> > Surely though he is NOT brialliant in his play
> calling
> > and substitutions etc.. but if he just is a mature
> > coach that his players like and RESPECT because he
> > respects them, they will go much muich further
> than
> > with the OLD SAM who was green behind the ears.
> >
> > I truly didn;t like Sam previously, but maybe
> there
> > has been a maturing in Sam, he couldn;t say the
> things
> > post game that he is now saying without learning
> > something aboiut coaching men who are not boys.
> >
> > He may even (GASP CHOKE COUGH) by worth keeping if
> the
> > players will work hard for him and not get too
> > frustrated with his lack of brilliance.
> >
> > Near the end of the game, last night you saw
> Peterson
> > and Ford at the becnh and it seemed Sam didn;t
> have a
> > cohesive understandable plan and principle for the
> > situation and so in that spur of the moment it
> seemed
> > BOTH Ford and Peterson just went away rather
> confused.
> > probably meaning Sam was unclear or didn't teach
> > previously what the moment of decision required.
> >
> > If players start thinking too much about what the
> > coach wants rather than just reacting by instinct
> or
> > from practice principles then they will be a step
> > behind and they will be left behind and the big
> games
> > will be lost.
> >
> > So I think now, the question is, will Sam get
> wisdom
> > and discernment rather than just maturing. For he
> may
> > even be a nice guy off the court, cause before he
> > seemed like just a self righteous crank. Maybe Sam
> is
> > a keeper if he keeps learning... (and I would
> never
> > have said that last year, or the year before)
> >
> >
> > david
> >
> >
> > PS) Chuck is a great broadcaster and great for the
> > game !!!! And I do like Leo as well, as ribbing
> Chuck
> > isn;t so bad when leo gets ribbed as well. A
> little
> > give and take, Mutt and Jeff type humor, I like
> it,
> > even though a few times Leo went to far and Chuck
> was
> > gracious enough not to get offended. But watch it,
> > leo, little guys with quicker minds can whop your
> ass
> > if you go to far with the wrong comments.
> > --- lumberkingmike <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > I had the choice to watch the Toronto Raptors'
> > > Canadian TV coverage,
> > > featuring you, Chucky "Cheese" Swirtzky, or turn
> to
> > > Detroit's play-by-
> > > play
> > > man (who is aptly named George BLAH-ha) for
> last
> > > night's exciting
> > > Toronto
> > > at Detroit NBA game, and it was NO CONTEST!!!
> > >
> > > Good job on the game last night!!!  A play-off
> > > atmosphere is always
> > > fun!!!
> > >
> > > CHUCK, you rule!!!    "No onions" (Leo claims
> > > wrongly), but big
> > > SALAMI
> > > man!!!
> > >
> > > Actually, the timing of your unique "Get out the
> > > Salami & Cheese"
> > > gush is
> > > strategic, intentional, and NOT onionless.   It
> > > follows a big Raptor
> > > play,
> > > while our emotions are extremely high.  Good
> timing
> > > Chuck...NOT
> > > onionless.
> > >
> > > My son hates onions anyway...so he wants his
> salami
> > > & cheese sandwich
> > > ONIONLESS!!!
> > > He'll be here for lunch after church today, and
> the
> > > will be NO
> > > ONIONS!!!
> > >
> > > I do NOT love the "friendly Chuck-bashing jokes"
> by
> > > Leo.  It is not
> > > my type
> > > of humour, but thank God Leo doesn't tell bad
> "ad
> > > homonym" jokes
> > > about Sam
> > > or his players!
> > >
> > > They say there's a little truth in every joke
> > > (that's what make it
> > > funny).
> > > That's why much of the best comedy is based on
> > > current events and
> > > real-life
> > > controversies (like Iraq).  I don't see humour
> as
> > > "JUST a joke",
> > > there is
> > > hidden truth often...at least true perception.
> > >
> > > Frankly I don't much like putting down Leo for
> his
> > > mere "cup of
> > > coffee" NBA
> > > career (defensive perhaps) because it's TRUE!!!
> > >
> > > ...for example "No Onions"???...does Mrs.
> Swartzky
> > > know about this?!?
> > >
> > > ...it seems like SALAMI (& cheese) ENVY that
> Freud
> > > thought women had
> > > toward
> > > men..
>
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
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The thing about Sam is that I cannot ignore the past. He hasn't dealt
with many situations in professional manner. He handled players poorly
like Alston, James, and Carter. He misused players like Bonner and
Rose. And worst of all he stabbed Rob Babcock in the back. Regardless
of whether Babcock was a good or bad GM, this was the man that brought
you in and you payed him back in the worst possible way. This shows
bad character that could well arise again in a pressure situation.

If I'm Brian Colangelo, I really hesitate to tie myself to Sam long term.

Stability is incredibly important though and the Raptors have had
precious little of it during their entire history. It may be that
firing Sam could be a step back in the rebuilding progression. I guess
this will be what BC has to weigh.



--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, David Jordan <davidjayjordan@...> wrote:
>
> Sam actually may be maturing.... I must admit, for I
> also have noticed a change in him from his tyrates on
> the bench in the beginning, snearing at almost every
> mistake of his players. It hardly built confidence or
> trust.
>
> I personnally realise from experience going to the
> coaching ranks is extremely diffciult in some ways.
> teaching what comes naturially to an experienced
> player and thinking others will instantly catch the
> drift, is naive. And sam was naive. But now he seems
> to be saying the right things about respecting his
> players.
>
> Surely though he is NOT brialliant in his play calling
> and substitutions etc.. but if he just is a mature
> coach that his players like and RESPECT because he
> respects them, they will go much muich further than
> with the OLD SAM who was green behind the ears.
>
> I truly didn;t like Sam previously, but maybe there
> has been a maturing in Sam, he couldn;t say the things
> post game that he is now saying without learning
> something aboiut coaching men who are not boys.
>
> He may even (GASP CHOKE COUGH) by worth keeping if the
> players will work hard for him and not get too
> frustrated with his lack of brilliance.
>
> Near the end of the game, last night you saw Peterson
> and Ford at the becnh and it seemed Sam didn;t have a
> cohesive understandable plan and principle for the
> situation and so in that spur of the moment it seemed
> BOTH Ford and Peterson just went away rather confused.
> probably meaning Sam was unclear or didn't teach
> previously what the moment of decision required.
>
> If players start thinking too much about what the
> coach wants rather than just reacting by instinct or
> from practice principles then they will be a step
> behind and they will be left behind and the big games
> will be lost.
>
> So I think now, the question is, will Sam get wisdom
> and discernment rather than just maturing. For he may
> even be a nice guy off the court, cause before he
> seemed like just a self righteous crank. Maybe Sam is
> a keeper if he keeps learning... (and I would never
> have said that last year, or the year before)
>
>
> david
>
>
> PS) Chuck is a great broadcaster and great for the
> game !!!! And I do like Leo as well, as ribbing Chuck
> isn;t so bad when leo gets ribbed as well. A little
> give and take, Mutt and Jeff type humor, I like it,
> even though a few times Leo went to far and Chuck was
> gracious enough not to get offended. But watch it,
> leo, little guys with quicker minds can whop your ass
> if you go to far with the wrong comments.
> --- lumberkingmike <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> > I had the choice to watch the Toronto Raptors'
> > Canadian TV coverage,
> > featuring you, Chucky "Cheese" Swirtzky, or turn to
> > Detroit's play-by-
> > play
> > man (who is aptly named George BLAH-ha) for  last
> > night's exciting
> > Toronto
> > at Detroit NBA game, and it was NO CONTEST!!!
> >
> > Good job on the game last night!!!  A play-off
> > atmosphere is always
> > fun!!!
> >
> > CHUCK, you rule!!!    "No onions" (Leo claims
> > wrongly), but big
> > SALAMI
> > man!!!
> >
> > Actually, the timing of your unique "Get out the
> > Salami & Cheese"
> > gush is
> > strategic, intentional, and NOT onionless.   It
> > follows a big Raptor
> > play,
> > while our emotions are extremely high.  Good timing
> > Chuck...NOT
> > onionless.
> >
> > My son hates onions anyway...so he wants his salami
> > & cheese sandwich
> > ONIONLESS!!!
> > He'll be here for lunch after church today, and the
> > will be NO
> > ONIONS!!!
> >
> > I do NOT love the "friendly Chuck-bashing jokes" by
> > Leo.  It is not
> > my type
> > of humour, but thank God Leo doesn't tell bad "ad
> > homonym" jokes
> > about Sam
> > or his players!
> >
> > They say there's a little truth in every joke
> > (that's what make it
> > funny).
> > That's why much of the best comedy is based on
> > current events and
> > real-life
> > controversies (like Iraq).  I don't see humour as
> > "JUST a joke",
> > there is
> > hidden truth often...at least true perception.
> >
> > Frankly I don't much like putting down Leo for his
> > mere "cup of
> > coffee" NBA
> > career (defensive perhaps) because it's TRUE!!!
> >
> > ...for example "No Onions"???...does Mrs. Swartzky
> > know about this?!?
> >
> > ...it seems like SALAMI (& cheese) ENVY that Freud
> > thought women had
> > toward
> > men..
> >
> > Also props "Kudos" to ex-NBA "Canadian National
> > coach" LEO Rautins,
> > on the
> > good colour commentary.  He is terrific.  He's so
> > good I wonder if
> > Chicago &
> > NJ are hanging on every word!
> >
> > This morning I saw him and Rod Black do a ESPN old
> > time game (and he
> > was
> > great even back then...Rod Black was actually good
> > too) featuring the
> > return
> > of traitor Tracy "T-Mac" Magrady and Orlando, to the
> > ACC, against the
> > play-off bound Raptors, featuring Vince  "would-be
> > traitor" Carter,
> > loyal
> > Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams, would-be traitor
> > Antonio "the
> > Warrior"
> > Davis, heroic combo guard (PG) Alvin Williams and
> > smiling ( left-
> > handed?)
> > "Charlie V" clone Keon Clark.
> >
> > The only problem is when I saw a trey scored by
> > Toronto, last night,
> > our
> > Canadian broadcast incompetently adds nothing to the
> > scoreboard at
> > the top
> > of the screen, then (late) adds just two.  Is the
> > guy an idiot, or a
> > hockey
> > fan, or not paying attention?
> >
> > Finally the Chuck or Leo says "it was a three" (as
> > if noticing the
> > error on
> > the score), long after it was obvious to any alert
> > fan viewers like
> > me, and
> > the score is finally corrected.  A small little
> > glitch, but I am so
> > into the
> > game that it irks me big-time.
> >
> > I almost switched back to the Detroit station, to
> > have the right
> > score
> > posted (this does NOT only happen on the road).  But
> > Blaha is "blah
> > Ha" and
> > Kaiser is no Leo Rautins.
> >
> > Tie breaker is the great Raptor "homer" replay
> > choices, like Calderon
> > crashing into the post under the basket...classic
> > moments that I love.
> >
> > Finally I need to add that Raptor's controversial
> > "young" (ex-NBA
> > star) head
> > coach Sam Mitchell was good on the interview after
> > the game last
> > night.  He
> > may be developing into the good (great?) coach that
> > some think he
> > already
> > is.  Lucky or smart, that the new G.M. did not bring
> > in his own man,
> > the
> > year he turned over 3/4 of the players!!!
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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>

Sam actually may be maturing.... I must admit, for I
also have noticed a change in him from his tyrates on
the bench in the beginning, snearing at almost every
mistake of his players. It hardly built confidence or
trust.

I personnally realise from experience going to the
coaching ranks is extremely diffciult in some ways.
teaching what comes naturially to an experienced
player and thinking others will instantly catch the
drift, is naive. And sam was naive. But now he seems
to be saying the right things about respecting his
players.

Surely though he is NOT brialliant in his play calling
and substitutions etc.. but if he just is a mature
coach that his players like and RESPECT because he
respects them, they will go much muich further than
with the OLD SAM who was green behind the ears.

I truly didn;t like Sam previously, but maybe there
has been a maturing in Sam, he couldn;t say the things
post game that he is now saying without learning
something aboiut coaching men who are not boys.

He may even (GASP CHOKE COUGH) by worth keeping if the
players will work hard for him and not get too
frustrated with his lack of brilliance.

Near the end of the game, last night you saw Peterson
and Ford at the becnh and it seemed Sam didn;t have a
cohesive understandable plan and principle for the
situation and so in that spur of the moment it seemed
BOTH Ford and Peterson just went away rather confused.
probably meaning Sam was unclear or didn't teach
previously what the moment of decision required.

If players start thinking too much about what the
coach wants rather than just reacting by instinct or
from practice principles then they will be a step
behind and they will be left behind and the big games
will be lost.

So I think now, the question is, will Sam get wisdom
and discernment rather than just maturing. For he may
even be a nice guy off the court, cause before he
seemed like just a self righteous crank. Maybe Sam is
a keeper if he keeps learning... (and I would never
have said that last year, or the year before)


david


PS) Chuck is a great broadcaster and great for the
game !!!! And I do like Leo as well, as ribbing Chuck
isn;t so bad when leo gets ribbed as well. A little
give and take, Mutt and Jeff type humor, I like it,
even though a few times Leo went to far and Chuck was
gracious enough not to get offended. But watch it,
leo, little guys with quicker minds can whop your ass
if you go to far with the wrong comments.
--- lumberkingmike <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> I had the choice to watch the Toronto Raptors'
> Canadian TV coverage,
> featuring you, Chucky "Cheese" Swirtzky, or turn to
> Detroit's play-by-
> play
> man (who is aptly named George BLAH-ha) for  last
> night's exciting
> Toronto
> at Detroit NBA game, and it was NO CONTEST!!!
>
> Good job on the game last night!!!  A play-off
> atmosphere is always
> fun!!!
>
> CHUCK, you rule!!!    "No onions" (Leo claims
> wrongly), but big
> SALAMI
> man!!!
>
> Actually, the timing of your unique "Get out the
> Salami & Cheese"
> gush is
> strategic, intentional, and NOT onionless.   It
> follows a big Raptor
> play,
> while our emotions are extremely high.  Good timing
> Chuck...NOT
> onionless.
>
> My son hates onions anyway...so he wants his salami
> & cheese sandwich
> ONIONLESS!!!
> He'll be here for lunch after church today, and the
> will be NO
> ONIONS!!!
>
> I do NOT love the "friendly Chuck-bashing jokes" by
> Leo.  It is not
> my type
> of humour, but thank God Leo doesn't tell bad "ad
> homonym" jokes
> about Sam
> or his players!
>
> They say there's a little truth in every joke
> (that's what make it
> funny).
> That's why much of the best comedy is based on
> current events and
> real-life
> controversies (like Iraq).  I don't see humour as
> "JUST a joke",
> there is
> hidden truth often...at least true perception.
>
> Frankly I don't much like putting down Leo for his
> mere "cup of
> coffee" NBA
> career (defensive perhaps) because it's TRUE!!!
>
> ...for example "No Onions"???...does Mrs. Swartzky
> know about this?!?
>
> ...it seems like SALAMI (& cheese) ENVY that Freud
> thought women had
> toward
> men..
>
> Also props "Kudos" to ex-NBA "Canadian National
> coach" LEO Rautins,
> on the
> good colour commentary.  He is terrific.  He's so
> good I wonder if
> Chicago &
> NJ are hanging on every word!
>
> This morning I saw him and Rod Black do a ESPN old
> time game (and he
> was
> great even back then...Rod Black was actually good
> too) featuring the
> return
> of traitor Tracy "T-Mac" Magrady and Orlando, to the
> ACC, against the
> play-off bound Raptors, featuring Vince  "would-be
> traitor" Carter,
> loyal
> Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams, would-be traitor
> Antonio "the
> Warrior"
> Davis, heroic combo guard (PG) Alvin Williams and
> smiling ( left-
> handed?)
> "Charlie V" clone Keon Clark.
>
> The only problem is when I saw a trey scored by
> Toronto, last night,
> our
> Canadian broadcast incompetently adds nothing to the
> scoreboard at
> the top
> of the screen, then (late) adds just two.  Is the
> guy an idiot, or a
> hockey
> fan, or not paying attention?
>
> Finally the Chuck or Leo says "it was a three" (as
> if noticing the
> error on
> the score), long after it was obvious to any alert
> fan viewers like
> me, and
> the score is finally corrected.  A small little
> glitch, but I am so
> into the
> game that it irks me big-time.
>
> I almost switched back to the Detroit station, to
> have the right
> score
> posted (this does NOT only happen on the road).  But
> Blaha is "blah
> Ha" and
> Kaiser is no Leo Rautins.
>
> Tie breaker is the great Raptor "homer" replay
> choices, like Calderon
> crashing into the post under the basket...classic
> moments that I love.
>
> Finally I need to add that Raptor's controversial
> "young" (ex-NBA
> star) head
> coach Sam Mitchell was good on the interview after
> the game last
> night.  He
> may be developing into the good (great?) coach that
> some think he
> already
> is.  Lucky or smart, that the new G.M. did not bring
> in his own man,
> the
> year he turned over 3/4 of the players!!!
>
>
>


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