Dirk’s Mavs getting ZERO respect from Vegas

Dirk Nowitzki shed his “choke artist” label behind, yet his Mavericks aren’t getting any respect with the wise guys in Vegas. Continue reading →

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June 13, 2011, 1:03 pm

Celtics assistant could land in Canada?

Lawrence Frank, an assistant coach for the Celtics, is one of two finalists for the Raptors head coaching job. Continue reading →

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June 9, 2011, 10:04 am

Wolves dealing guard?

Johnny Flynn didn’t workout in Minnesota, unless riding the bench is success. Continue reading →

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June 5, 2011, 11:23 am

Former Nets head coach up for gig?

Lawrence Frank might end up leaving the country for his next coaching job. Continue reading →

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June 2, 2011, 8:57 am

Raptors star does damage control

Andrea Bargnani was in serious PR spin mode on Wednesday. The Raptors star was responding to his own quote that said he’d like to play in a warm weather city. Continue reading →

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May 26, 2011, 6:33 am

Raptors dealing for Rudy Gay?

Toronto is looking to deal for highly paid forward Rudy Gay. Continue reading →

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May 25, 2011, 8:59 am

Raptors star wants to play in warm weather city

Those cold Toronto winter days can get old fast, just ask a key member of the Raptors. Continue reading →

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May 25, 2011, 7:31 am

Raptors could extend former Suns guard

Leandro Barbosa can stay in Toronto if he exercises a $7.4 million contract option for next season. Continue reading →

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May 18, 2011, 7:59 am

Wolves have best chance at No. 1 overall pick

Its the playoff event for the NBA’s biggest losers, the Draft Lottery. Continue reading →

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April 25, 2011, 3:11 pm

Raptors might deal former No.1 overall pick?

Andrea Bargnani hasn’t had a Derrick Rose or Blake Griffin impact on the NBA, now he could be changing addresses. The 2006 No.1 overall pick is on the trading block. Continue reading…

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March 27, 2011, 11:22 am

Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni to East Rival?

Carmelo Anthony hasn’t brought many wins with him to New York, that might mean an end of season coaching change. Mike D’Antoni is on the hot seat, but probably won’t be out of work long. Continue reading…

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March 27, 2011, 11:12 am

Raptors dealing former Suns guard?

Leandro Barbosa could be one and done in Toronto. Continue reading…

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March 25, 2011, 10:17 am

Raptors pending free agent wants to stay in Toronto

Reggie Evans set to become an unrestricted free agent in July and would like to stay in Toronto. Continue reading…

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March 23, 2011, 8:43 pm

NBA’s Toronto Raptors for sale?

The NBA’s Toronto Raptors could be up for sale soon. Continue reading…

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March 12, 2011, 11:01 pm

Raptors likely stuck with Bosh trade exception

As Chris Bosh left for Miami, that is exactly what transpired. The Raptors received two draft picks and a US$14.5-million trade exception. Continue reading…

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February 18, 2011, 9:55 am

NBA Social Media Standings

NBA Social Media Standing (As of Feb 17, 2011)

  1. NBA 9,721,127
  2. Lakers 7,876,538
  3. Celtics 3,357,913
  4. Magic 1,642,974
  5. Heat 1,614,943
  6. Continue reading…
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February 18, 2011, 1:33 am

NBA’s top benches

Bench Scoring Per Game

1. Philadelphia – 39.8
2. Detroit – 38.3
3. Phoenix – 37.5
4. Denver – 36.3
5. Dallas – 36.3
6. Cleveland – 35.5
7. San Antonio – 34.2
8. Sacramento – 33.5
9. Houston – 33.5
10. Toronto – 33.1

Source: Spurs

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February 3, 2011, 10:21 pm

NBA home of first Filipino head coach in North America

• Led by Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph, Memphis is one of five teams with multiple players averaging at least 20 points per game… The others are the Miami Heat (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade), Oklahoma City Thunder (Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook), Los Angeles Clippers (Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin) and Minnesota Timberwolves (Kevin Love, Michael Beasley). Continue reading to find out who is the first Filipino coach in a major North American sports league is

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January 26, 2011, 12:09 am

NBA’s worst teams have best bench scoring

2010-11 NBA BENCH LEADERS
TEAM PPG
1. Detroit Pistons 39.1 Continue reading →

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January 4, 2011, 9:02 pm

Pistons legend leads NBA undrafted players

MOST GAMES BY UNDRAFTED NBA PLAYER (ACTIVE)
Ben Wallace        Detroit 1,005 Continue reading →

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January 4, 2011, 8:59 pm

Blue Jays owners to buy NBA’s Raptors, NHL’s Maple Leafs?

In what would be the biggest transaction in Canadian sport history, Rogers is in talks to buy the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal worth more than $1 billion, sources said Tuesday. The sale would include the Raptors, Toronto FC soccer club and the Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ minor league hockey team. Buying a majority stake in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan would transform Rogers, which already owns the Toronto Blue Jays, into one of the most powerful sports enterprises in North America. “I know it’s real,” said one top sports industry executive, who requested anonymity. “I’ve heard it from Rogers at a high executive level and from MLSE at a (the highest) level.” — Toronto Star

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December 1, 2010, 7:25 am

Heat consider adding free agent center

Amid the mystery that surrounds center Erick Dampier’s decision not to sign with the Rockets, the only thing clear is this: Miami, Toronto and Phoenix have expressed interest in reigniting conversations with the free-agent big man. The Suns, sources say, were the latest team to inquire on Wednesday. The Heat, who earlier backed away from committing to Dampier, appear to have a different view now that their lack of size has been exposed in recent games against New Orleans (Okafor) and Utah (Paul Millsap.)  — CBS Sports

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November 11, 2010, 9:13 am

Raptors looking to deal Jarrett Jack or Jose Calderon?

Not sure either Jarrett Jack or Jose Calderon did enough to make Larry Brown go, ‘oh, I’ve got to have that guy.’ The other side of the coin, of course, is what would they ever get from Charlotte in a deal. No way the Bobcats are giving up Gerald Wallace or Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw’s a tubby tweener who’s not appreciably better than anyone Toronto has and Tyrus Thomas shows up one night and not the next and after that, there’s not much. Maybe Gerald Henderson’s an interesting player player but I’m not sure the Bobcats are interested in giving him up. Trust me, there were people in the upper echelons of Rpatordom who hoped one of Jack or Calderon were outstanding just to pique the interest of the Bobcats; that didn’t happen and I don’t know if there’s a legit fit there anyway. — Toronto Star

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November 11, 2010, 8:17 am

Electrical fire on press row at NBA game

Toronto Star Raptors beat writer Doug Smith reported on an odd night at the arena… A minor electrical fire on press row kind of jazzed up the first half. Seems a wonky outlet kind of burned and the smell kind of put a damper on the fun of watching the game for almost the entire second quarter. We had a trade of PA announcers at halftime when Herbie Kuhn’s voice went and backup Mike Cvitkovic just happened to be in the arena. And then I walked around the corner to go the media room at halftime and almost ran into The Chicken, who was holding an ice bag to his head. Guess he/she/it got a little cut after whacking the noggin on something sharp after a first half schtick moment. – Toronto Star

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November 11, 2010, 7:26 am

Cavs projected to win 31 less games without LeBron

NBA win projections for East:
1) Heat: 64 wins
2) Magic: 57 wins
3) Celtics: 54 wins
4) Bulls: 48 wins
5) Hawks: 47 wins
6) Bucks: 46 wins
7) Bobcats: 37 wins
8) Knicks: 36 wins

* Note that TWO teams below .500 projected to make playoffs in East.

9) 76ers: 35 wins
10) Pacers: 34 wins
11) Wizards: 33 wins
12) Pistons: 32 wins
13) Cavs: 31 wins (compared to last year)
14) Raptors: 28 wins
15) Nets: 24 wins

* Note that Cavs were projected to win 62 games last season – exactly double this year’s projection.

Source: Pregame.com (R.J. Bell)

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October 26, 2010, 3:04 am

Source: Dampier to Raptors or Rockets?

Erick Dampier, a free-agent centre looking for an NBA job, met with Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo and is expected to make a decision on a contract offer shortly. He sat and watched the second practice of the day with team officials but was not available to the media. According to NBA sources, the Raptors and Houston Rockets have the best chance to land the 35-year-old Dampier. — Toronto Star

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October 1, 2010, 8:34 am

Dampier now considering Blazers, Raptors?

Erick Dampier was hoping to take his talents to South Beach. But in an interview on Sunday, the free agent center said his list of possible destinations continues to grow in the wake of his recent spurning from Miami. While FanHouse reported Saturday that Milwaukee had joined Houston in the pursuit of the 35-year-old veteran, the Bucks and Rockets have unwanted company. “I’ve talked to Milwaukee, Toronto, Portland, and one other team,” he said after confirming talks with the Rockets as well. “There’s no one in the No. 1 spot. I’m not in a rush. I just want to find the perfect fit and give myself an opportunity to compete for a championship.” — Fanhouse

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September 27, 2010, 6:10 am

Bobcats wanted Raptors Jose Calderon

A league source says the Charlotte Bobcats wanted to get involved as well, using the non-guaranteed contract of center Erick Dampier to try and get a point guard. Under one scenario, Dampier would have gone to Indiana, the team that originally drafted him in 1996, with T.J. Ford going to Toronto and the Raptors sending guard Jose Calderon to Charlotte. (The Raptors had agreed to send Calderon to the Bobcats earlier this summer in a deal that would have sent center Tyson Chandler to Toronto, but the deal was scotched at the last minute by Charlotte owner Michael Jordan.) — NBA.com

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August 12, 2010, 8:26 am

Four NBA teams won’t get ONE national TV game

The teams that aren’t scheduled to appear: Minnesota, New Jersey, Toronto and New Orleans. The biggest gainers include two franchises that have been nearly absent from national TV for years. New York, which finally seems to have improved its roster and might give the NBA more presence in the USA’s No. 1 TV market, will get 12 games on TNT and ESPN. Oklahoma City, in the USA’s No. 45 TV market but with a budding superstar in Kevin Durant, will get 15 games, including Sunday afternoon showcase games hosting Miami (Jan. 30) and the Lakers (Feb. 27) on ABC. — USA Today

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August 11, 2010, 7:28 am

Pacers eye Raptors, Mavericks point guards

When it’s all said and done, embattled point guard T.J. Ford might be running the Pacers show again next season.

Here’s a look at other possibilities:

Jose Calderon, Toronto

Calderon is a perfect fit for coach Jim O’Brien’s system. He can shoot the 3-pointer and distribute the ball. The catch is his contract: three years, more than $29 million.

Jarrett Jack, Toronto

Jack had his best season as a Pacer, starting 53 games and appearing in all 82 during the 2008-09 season. He’s familiar with the system, and the Pacers enjoyed playing with him.

Jose Juan Barea, Dallas

Barea likes to push the ball and he can score, as he played alongside Jason Kidd in the backcourt at times. He averaged nearly 20 minutes a game on a team that finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season.
Plus he would be under contract for only one season.

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August 5, 2010, 8:25 am

Suns Hedo Turkoglu slams Raptors

New Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu took aim at his former team, the Toronto Raptors, and their general manager, Bryan Colangelo, this weekend. “People have to realize something is wrong with that organization and nobody wants to go there any more,” he said in a phone interview from Turkey, where he is captaining the Turkish national team at the World Championships. “It’s not just the players who see this.” Turkoglu’s remarks were sparked by Colangelo’s recent criticism of former Raptors teammate Chris Bosh. Colangelo accused Bosh of “checking out” last season while the Raptors were battling the Chicago Bulls for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. — Fox Sports Arizona

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August 2, 2010, 8:30 am

Suns free agent to Warriors, Bobcats or Raptors?

Louis Amundson made a lot of friends. His popularity in Phoenix over the past two seasons prompted nearly as much local interest in his free-agency future but he said it still appears that won’t keep him in Phoenix. “It’s too bad Phoenix didn’t value me enough to keep me around,” Amundson said. “I felt like it was a great situation and I gave everything I have. It’s a business and I’m trying to have a thick skin. “I was always concerned (about the chances). Knowing they signed Hakim Warrick and Channing for that much money ($30 million over five years), that was not a good sign.” Amundson said Charlotte, Golden State and Toronto have shown interest in signing him. — Arizona Republic

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July 27, 2010, 9:25 am

Cavaliers still have a chance to get Matt Barnes

The Cavs are back in the race for Matt Barnes, according to a source close to him.
Just how much in the chase, well, that is a matter of negotiation. The Cavs are believed to have offered Barnes a multiyear contract but for less than the Raptors offered. Though Toronto and Orlando still are trying to find a way to make the Barnes deal happen, it doesn’t seem likely. At the moment, the Cavs, who have their entire $5.8 million midlevel exception to spend, can pay Barnes more than the Raptors can or more than the Magic can in a sign-and-trade. The Raptors already have spent a bulk of their midlevel on forward Linas Kleiza. That puts the Cavs in a position of strength. But as was seen when they thought they had lost Barnes to Toronto, they don’t appear interested in getting into a bidding war for Barnes. — Cleveland Plain Dealer

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July 21, 2010, 9:30 am

Matt Barnes to Lakers, Celtics, Heat?

As of late Sunday, according to a source, the Cavs were still in the running for Matt Barnes — though their opposition was formidable, with the Lakers, Celtics and Heat, along with Toronto, all making strong pitches. — NBA.com

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July 19, 2010, 9:30 am

Former Clipper Rasual Butler to Cavs?

Also on the Cavs’ list is forward Rasual Butler, who averaged 11.9 points and 2.9 rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers. Sources also indicate the Cavs have interest in Antoine Wright, a solid defender who averaged 6.5 points for the Raptors last season, and former Cav Flip Murray, a scoring specialist who averaged 9.9 points with the Bobcats and Bulls in 2009-10.

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July 16, 2010, 9:12 am

Carmelo Anthony to sign Nuggets extension after Harrington addition?

Sources close to Carmelo Anthony previously told The Denver Post that the all-star forward is expected to sign the Nuggets’ contract extension offer of three years and $65 million, but first wanted to see what management would do to bolster the frontcourt. Anthony now has the answer. With Al Harrington’s signing, the move ensures that reserve forward Linas Kleiza won’t get the mid-level exception offer from Denver and will therefore join the Toronto Raptors, who signed Kleiza to an offer sheet last week. – DENVER POST

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July 15, 2010, 9:27 am