- Toronto looking to deal Bosh? | FanNation –
- NBA Draft Tip – Trade Down –
- 2009 NBA MOCK DRAFT – Consensus 7.0 – Basketball News & NBA Rumors – HOOPSWORLD –
- NBA Draft ‘09 Position Ratings – Centers –
- Can Brian Colangelo Build a Winner in Toronto? 5 Offseason Questions | Bleacher Report –
- Chaun’s Raptors and NBA blog: Chaun’s 2009 NBA ‘Mock Draft 0.1’ –
- Doug Smith’s Toronto Raptors blog –
- FAN590 – Smith & Jones Mock –
- Dino Gunners: Toronto Raptors Free Agent Thoughts –
- Hoops Addict » In The Scrum With Jonny Flynn –
- RaptorsHQ Goes One-On-One with Marquette’s Jerel McNeal – RaptorsHQ.com –
- SportingNews.com – The Baseline – Mock Draft –
- PBN | Mejia’s mock draft –
- BobcatZone: NBA Mock Draft: Part 3 –
- Revisiting the 2003 NBA Draft — NBA FanHouse –
- My second mock NBA draft « varneer –
- The Big Lead » NBA Draft: No. 9 Toronto Raptors –
- freedarko.com: FreeDrafto #24883131: The Mock –
- NBA.com: 2009 NBA Draft: Consensus Mock Draft –
- 2009 Examiner NBA Mock Draft: Wolves take a chance on DeRozan with sixth pick –
- Toronto’s Draft Board: Inside The War Room With Bryan Colangelo | Bleacher Report –
- Top 5 Raptor Free Agent Bargins | Bleacher Report –
- Ranking Raptor Draft Picks: #6 | Searching For ‘93 –
- NBA At 2: Raptors And DeRozan – HOOPSWORLD –
- The Hoop Doctors NBA Mock Draft 2009: “The Last Word” | The Hoop Doctors –
- Dino Nation Blog: 7 Days to NBA Draft –
- Needs and Assets: Atlantic Division – Talk Hoops –
- Five Significant Toronto Raptors Drafts: Jurassic Park Style! | Bleacher Report –
- YouTube – NBA09Draft Predictions –
- Foot on the Line: Gimme back my Raptors –
- Power Rankings « nbaroundtable –
- Doug Smith’s Toronto Raptors blog –
- Raptor Rant – Draft History = Epic Fail? « –
- RaptorsHQ Recaps Demar DeRozan’s Individual Workout – RaptorsHQ.com –
- Marc Iavaroni – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand – The Raps newly appointed Assistant Coach joins Jack and the always witty Doug MacLean to talk about how is hiring came to fruition and what Reggie Evans brings to the team.
- FIBA.com – Jawai To Miss Opening Session – Australia’s men’s basketball team, the Boomers, will begin its first training camp for 2009 at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra tomorrow.
The Boomers will be without the services of 208cm Toronto Raptors power forward Nathan Jawai until possibly Sunday due to a stomach ailment.
- Wolves looking for a Kevin McHale-type coach – TwinCities.com – Former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell played 10 seasons for the Wolves and is one obvious candidate. He is considered more of a disciplinarian than a players' coach, but center Al Jefferson said McHale was both of those.
"He was the type of guy who could communicate with you and also, if he was upset, he would get in your face, too," Jefferson said. "Most definitely I think it's good to have a coach like that because some of us players are knuckleheads and some of us need a coach that is going to really get down on them and get in their face. … I think we need both of that."
Mitchell didn't return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday, and Kahn insisted that the process of finding a new coach
- Examiner.com Mock Draft: The Toronto Raptors select Gerald Henderson – Which brings me back to the explosive and athletic Gerald Henderson. The former Blue Devil would immediately upgrade Toronto's athleticism while giving them solid defender who still has plenty of upside. He could easily develop into a Richard Jefferson type player. Henderson flashed his all-around game last year with Duke; scoring 16.5 PPG, grabbing 4.9 RPG and dishing out 2.5 APG.
He still needs to work on becoming more consistent with his jump shot and his ball-handling, but he has the skill-set to excel in both of those areas.
- Update – 2009 Cap Space: Toronto « nbaroundtable – Remember, if the Raptors choose to jettison Shawn Marion and spend their cap space on someone else, they would also surely lose the following — Anthony Parker, Joey Graham and Carlos Delfino.
So the option of re-signing Marion, should be considered Marion plus potentially those three plus the possible use of the MLE against the one $7.2-to-$9.2 million signing.
- Hoops Addict » NBA Mock Draft – June 18, 2009 – 9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan SG/SF
19 years old, 6′7″, 207 lbs.
USC, Freshman
- DeRozan goes it alone – The Globe and Mail – Ujiri said he needs to work on his shooting, but sees in him a bit of Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Portland’s Travis Outlaw or Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace.
“Those are guys we kind of compare him to, athletic guys in the beginning, they were crazy athletes, but the game was yet to be put together,” Ujiri said. “I think those guys have put their games together. He has to work on a couple of things, but I think he’s a great athlete, a great kid.
“It almost always pans out. They work hard, it might take a couple of years, but I think he grows into being a good player.”
- TheStar.com DeRozan’s athleticism could be hard to resist – The Raptors, given the option, would have loved to have seen DeRozan work under some sort of game conditions, even though they had scouts and front office personnel see him a handful of times in the college season.
But they didn't get that option yesterday and getting him in the gym, even alone, was worth the effort.
"I guess that's the agents trying to protect their players a little bit. The top guys would normally do that, we've seen that with him and (Arizona forward Jordan) Hill and (Connecticut centre Hasheem) Thabeet and all those guys projected to go in the top five, six," said Masai Ujiri, Toronto's assistant general manager of player personnel.
- High-flying DeRozan struts hops for Raps | Toronto Sun –
- Defining Moments in Toronto Raptors Draft History | Bleacher Report –
- Toronto Raptors Basketball Team Report – FOX Sports on MSN –
- khandor’s sports blog » Raptors fans: What would happen, if … –
- Ranking Raptor Draft Picks: #5 | Searching For ‘93 –
- ReclinerGM 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Dannie vs. Pete, 2.0 –
- 2009 NBA Mock Draft | RotoRob –
- NBA Draft ‘09 Position Rankings – Power Forwards –
- All eyes on Demar DeRozan — because there is nobody else to look at – Posted Sports –
- The Canadian Press: DeRozan goes it alone, doing solo pre-draft workout for Raptors –
- Wade, Bosh unsure about future – The Back Page –
- Chaun’s Raptors and NBA blog: Notes and links from DeRozan’s Workout –
- HL:DeRozan goes it alone, doing solo pre-draft workout for Raptors@ –
- Al Jefferson ’shocked, disappointed, hurt’ over Minnesota Timberwolves ousting Kevin McHale – TwinCities.com –
- YouTube – Welcome Boogie! –
- Masai Ujiri – June 17, 2009 – NBA Videos and Highlights –
- 1on1 With DeRozan – June 17, 2009 – NBA Videos and Highlights –
- DeMar DeRozan – June 17, 2009 – NBA Videos and Highlights –
- In Colangelo We Trust: Toronto Raptors Draft Day Preview | Bleacher Report –
- The return of the Rap-chelor! | Cuzoogle –
- Court Surfing – The Score – DeRozan LOVES Toronto… –
- NBA Draft ‘09 Position Rankings – Small Forwards – NetScouts –
- Pete Marasmitch » What’s so great about DeMar DeRozan? – It looks like those issues from two years ago continue to be issues. Considering those issues, is DeMar DeRozan really a fit on this Raptors team? Is he even worthy of the ninth overall pick? And if not, are there really any better options available at nine — Gerald Henderson? Earl Clark? James Johnson?
- DeRozan Wants No Part Of Toronto | Bleacher Report – Colangelo, Toronto's GM, did manage to coerce a visit out of DeRozan, and an individual workout, yet the swingman's reluctance to cooperate with the Raptors should be a red light for the Raptors, as the last thing the franchise needs is a large dose of poor team chemistry.
Jim Kelly, the Raptor's Director of Player Personnel was recently quoted as saying "That's part of the draft procedure, We don't actually control it. We deal with what we have."
In just over a week we will see if the Prima Donna from California gets his wish or not, and if he does, he will merely join a list of players who've talked their way out of towns, or prevented themselves from being drafted to certain places.
- Consumers Favor Internet Over Cell Phone and Cable TV According to New Study From Pew Research Center – Tech savvy NBA All-Star and six year veteran of the Toronto Raptors Chris Bosh will also be speaking at the Symposium. Bosh is the first athlete in the world to launch his own iPhone application and his website, http://www.chris-bosh.com, which includes multiple social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, all of which, he notes, are dependent on broadband technology.
- Dino Nation Blog: Today’s Blog Brought To You By Letter D –
- Bryan Colangelo – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand –
- Gerald Henderson and Quincy Douby? – RaptorsHQ Recaps the June 16 Workouts. – RaptorsHQ.com – His shooting yesterday was spotty, something that he’s continuing to try and smoothen out, and he’s not exactly a big player. Matched up against Jerel McNeal, you can see that there isn’t much difference between the two height-wise.
Again though, it’s Henderson’s ability to break down defenses that makes him look to be a nice fit for the Dinos.
That’s why it was a bit puzzling that some of the local media failed to pick up on this, with one reporter telling Henderson that scouts described him as “a guy who just scores and gets his stuff in the flow of games rather than in isolation.”
- Doug Smith’s Toronto Raptors blog – The option still exists to sign-and-trade Shawn Marion and they will have the mid-level exception to offer someone. And judging by the economic climate out there and the number of teams with cap space, I think there are going to be some bargains to be had.
And, just from listening to people around the gym and in private conversations I’ve had with people tuned in, I have no doubt that Bryan’s got a few things simmering.
Now, whether any of them get pulled off or not, I can’t tell you.
But the sense I’m getting from talking to people is that there is going to be more action than you’d think in the next month or so.
- Where’s Russ Granik?: WRG Mock Draft, #9: Toronto Raptors –
- You’ve Gotta Love Sports!: With the 9th pick in the YGLS Mock NBA Draft… – Toronto Raptors – Jonny Flynn (G/Syracuse)
It seems as though the Raptors are in this position year after year. Each new year seems to be the year that the Toronto Raptors should be a team that makes a run, should be a team that makes the playoff, or even a team that's competitive, but alas, it never is. This team has a nice nucleus of talent around the basket, and even out towards the perimeter. What it lacks though is passion or a spark. That type of grit that can be brought from a floor general, someone who wants to win. That's why I think the Raptors will select Jonny Flynn.
- Raptors Take First Step To Bring Delfino Back, Reggie Evans Meets Media | Jurassic Hoops – Regardless, if Delfino chooses to sign with Toronto he’ll bring more toughness and perimeter defense to a team in desperate need of both. His stunning good looks and chiseled jaw-line aren’t bad either, it’s ok to man-crush on the Argentinian heartthrob… he is that good looking.
- Courtside – Mock draft #1 – 9. Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, SF, USC – This is a high risk, high reward pick for the Raptors. DeRozan was one of the most hyped freshmans in the nation last year, but had a forgettable season until the end-of-year tournaments started. DeRozan stepped his game up and took USC to the NCAA tournament almost single-handedly. He looked very good in the tournament and in terms of potential, is an elite prospect. DeRozan has the skills to be an excellent, all-star level talent, but he has trouble creating his own shot and had only a handful of elite NCAA performances.
The Raptors could go for a safer pick in Gerald Henderson or Jrue Holiday, but it says here Bryan Colangelo will go for the home run and take DeRozan.
- 2009 Mock Draft #2 « Captain Factorial’s Wheel Of Fish – 9 Toronto Jrue Holiday, point, 6′4.5″ 200, Fr. UCLA Toronto is, pure and simple, in need of a good wing from this draft. And DeRozan and Evans (more of a point-wing) are gone. What’s left is a bunch of point guards. Despite having Calderon in the fold, I think the Raptors have to go BPA here and figure it all out later. And BPA, despite his underwhelming freshman year at UCLA, is Jrue Holiday. They aren’t going to want to play him next to Calderon in light of how badly he played the off-guard next to Darren Collison, but they’ll figure something out.
- Raptors extend offer to RFA Delfino – Sportsnet.ca –
- The Hoops Report | 2009 NBA Mock Draft Extended Version (6/16 Update) –
- wgrz.com | Raptors Invite Gamble for Workout – Late Monday afternoon Greg Gamble got an important phone call. It was from the Toronto Raptors. They wanted him to come to Toronto and workout for the team Tuesday morning. Gamble drove to Toronto late Monday afternoon.
It was the first workout for an NBA team in his career. Gamble played his high school ball at Niagara Falls. He was a key player on that 2005 Niagara Falls Championship team. Gamble played his college ball at the University of Buffalo.
A position switch before his senior really helped Gamble open some eyes. He was a swingman his first three years but switched to point guard for his senior year.
- Hoops Addict » What Could Have Been: 2005 NBA Draft – 7th – Toronto Raptors
Original Pick: Charlie Villanueva, F, UConn
New Pick: Andrew Bynum, C, High School
It creates a lot of size in the frontcourt. I’d love to go point guard here, but they had Calderon just waiting to take over. Not to mention that Mike James played 37 minutes a night. This draft doesn’t have much else. And maybe playing alongside Bosh would have helped Bynum’s progression.
- Raptors welcome aboard Evans – Evans's reputation preceded him on the Raptors because forward Chris Bosh told reporters he hated playing against him.
"That is a good thing," Evans said with a hearty laugh. "That lets me know I'm doing something good."
"When Chris says he doesn't like me, I don't like Chris. I like him now because we're teammates, but I didn't like him either.
"There is nothing bad about it. It is a good thing."
- The Knicks Blog » Mills Mock Draft V3 – 9 – Toronto Raptors – Tyreke Evans
Evans will have a nice career, but I question his shot selection and ability to run the point. He’s going to be a lot like Larry Hughes; He thinks he has a jump shot, but he doesn’t. There lies the shot selection issues. But even if Evans can’t play the one, the Wolves have a vacancy at the shooting guard spot too. I like Demar Derozan more for them here, but his stock has dropped.
- Evans knows his role – The Globe and Mail –
- Evans brings bruiser role to Raptors – Oakley, the highly quotable, equally grimy forward, was a key part of the Raptors from 1999 to 2001. Evans spots one key difference.
"Comparison-wise, I don't know, because he had a jumper," said Evans, who met with the media yesterday after being acquired a week ago from Philadelphia in exchange for Jason Kapono. "He could shoot a 17-foot jumper, 15, 17 feet. So you couldn't really leave Oakley. So we don't really compare. I defer a lot of jumpers. Pass it, set a pick … I'm not going to say I'm not going to shoot. I'll shoot one now and then, every blue moon … I'll give you a shot a month."
- TheStar.com | Raps’ muscle arrives –
- Evans simply refreshing | Toronto Sun –
- Newest Raptor Evans brings instant toughness to a team that’s been too soft – Yahoo! Canada News – "If I feel like something isn't right, if somebody's not bringing it hard to the game or hard in practice, I'm going to speak my mind," he said. "The only way we're going to get better, we have to work hard so if you want to relax, go sit down or just go home. That's just me, I'm a competitor."
Evans said he gets his work ethic from his mother, a single mom who worked two jobs to support her four kids.
"You just have to understand what it takes for hard work, we never had anything," said Evans, whose father was in and out of prison throughout his childhood. "My mama worked all her life. My mama always told me, 'One thing you never have to worry about: the lights will be paid and the rent will be paid.' Just seeing her work so hard . . .
- 9. Raptors select DeMar DeRozan | 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Commitment Day Edition – Rumors aren't usually worth the paper they're written on, but I believe that the Raptors guaranteed DeRozan he won't fall beyond ninth.
The Raptors have a successful history of going after young athletic wings, and DeRozan can develop in Canada without his every failure being scrutinized.
The Raptors could also look at Earl Clark, Gerald Henderson, and Terrence Williams, but none have the potential of DeRozan.
- RAPTORS: Raptors Extend Qualifying Offer To Delfino –
- Entripy Loves the Toronto Raptors! | Entripy Blog – Jas was offered 2 tickets beside the player’s bench a few months ago and he wanted to take ME? Me as in his wife Shelli…the one who isn’t really into sports! I told him it would be a waste of a ticket and he should take someone who would enjoy the experience and savour every moment of it. He wouldn’t take anyone else but me and he said if I didn’t go, then he wasn’t going. I thought that was totally, absolutely absurd!!! But I agreed to go since I know how much he loves the Raptors.
- DeMar DeRozan: Remember The Name | Bleacher Report – If DeRozan falls out of the top five, someone should be fired. If he falls past Toronto at nine, I'll personally start a riot on the streets.
Reports are out that if he's on the board, the Raptors have assured him that they'll select him. I won't be getting my hopes up because I can't for the life of me imagine how eight teams could pass on him. Thankfully, if reports are correct, Toronto won't be one of them.
- New Jersey Nets: The James Johnson-Earl Clark tete-a-tete – NJ.com – 9. Toronto — They've seen Lawson and Holiday, but Smitty thinks they like Flynn. Maybe that changes after a few of the top dogs visit them (DeRozan on Wednesday). Henderson came in Tuesday.
- NBA Free Agent Destinations: Hedo Turkoglu | Bleacher Report – Toronto Raptors
With Shawn Marion undoubtedly bolting, the Raptors will be on the look-out for an upgrade at small forward.
Turkoglu would give the Raptors the outside shooting they no longer have after parting with Jason Kapono, while giving them an extra guy outside of Jose Calderon that can take care of the ball and make things happen on offense.
Turkoglu could be the final piece of a serious playoff contending team in Canada. I'll bet you never thought you'd hear that outside of the NHL.
- Reggie Evans – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand –
- 2009 Extended Mock 2.0 | NBADraft.net – Raptors take Henderson – Gerald Henderson Toronto has Derozan coming in for a workout on Tuesday. Apparently he is attending the workout but not thrilled with the idea of playing across the border. The Raptors may be forced to look for someone who is, and Henderson might be the guy for them.
- Henderson thinks draft stocks are mythical; DeRozan, Evans, Hill could still visit Toronto – Posted Sports – This workout might have been the last group workout that the Raptors host before next Thursday's draft, but that does not mean that prospects are done with Toronto. It is possible the Southern California swingman DeMar DeRozan will be on Wednesday — but for an individual workout instead of going up against his peers.
Memphis guard Tyreke Evans and Arizona power forward Jordan Hill could do the same early next week.
One name familiar to Raptors fans will definitely not be in Toronto, however. Davidson guard Stephen Curry, the son of former Raptor Dell Curry, is not planning to work out for the Raptors.
- The Top Five Free Agents The Toronto Raptors Should Target | Bleacher Report – The Raptors have already begun with the roster overhaul in trading three point specialist Jason Kapono to the Philadephia 76ers for journeyman big man Reggie Evans. Evans provides much needed toughness and rebounding to a very soft Raptors team.
The draft is in roughly one week (June 25th @ 8 p.m.), and the Raptors will continue to re-tool and find another potential all-star via the NBA Draft.
But with that said, most teams try to add or improve their roster by Free Agent pickups.
Here is a concise list of five players who the Raptors should look into signing. All of them can serve a purpose with the team.
- Why the Raptors Will Still Get Good Value If Bosh Leaves | Bleacher Report – You may not believe me, but the Vince Carter and Pau Gasol trades were horrible decisions by sometimes suspect GM's. The values they returned are not the going rate for borderline superstar players.
Especially Chris Wallace, who not only single-handedly brought the Lakers back to prominence, but also gave the Magic the PG they desperately needed for their run to the finals after Nelson went down.
Bryan Colangelo, on the other hand, is respected, something that always has a positive effect during negotiations, and has proven to be a sly trader in a similar situation. When Joe Johnson wanted to leave Phoenix, he got excellent value in Boris Diaw and two future picks.
- SLAM ONLINE | » The Gifted One – DeMar Derozan –
- Miami Heat | Sun-Sentinel Blogs: Chris Bosh: There is no link to Miami Heat – "As of right now, I'm not sure. I like Miami, don't get me wrong. But I don't know what comes along with being a part of that organization. I don't even have any friends in Miami, which was the funniest part. A close friend of mine hit me yesterday and was like 'Hey there’s another article out' and I was like 'What now?' 'Apparently a friend in Miami said you're going to Miami.' He sent me the article and I read it, and I'm like, 'now they’re just making stuff up.' "
- Doug Smith’s Toronto Raptors blog – Reggie’s in town… – Oh yeah, Reggie Evans is in town today for some formalities like a physical and to chat with us. It’ll be nice to see what his take is on his new team.
I know Phil in Philadelphia talked to him briefly last week and Evans understands it’s a business and that trades happen but there wasn’t much Toronto-specific content, that’s what we’ll be looking for.
- Pre-Draft Workouts for Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – RaptorsHQ.com – Switching to this morning’s workouts, from the Raptors’ media crew here are the scheduled attendees:
-Toney Douglas, Guard, Florida State.
-Gerald Henderson Jr, Guard, Duke.
-BJ Mullens, Center, Ohio State.
-Jerel McNeal, Guard, Marquette.
-Aron Baynes, Center, Washington State
-Greg Gamble, Guard, Buffalo
The first thing that jumps out is “no Evans or DeRozan.”
Does this mean then that either will be attending this morning but not working out?
There was no mention of it from the Raptors’ crew so I’m guessing unless Toronto schedules one more session later this week or very early next, neither will be coming to see the Raps pre-draft.
- NBA Mock Draft « Cippin on Sports – 9. Toronto Raptors- DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC
The Raptors get lucky here with DeRozan slipping all the way to 9. DeRozan got off to a slow start last year at USC but turned it on once conference play started and showed why he was one of the top recruits in the nation. DeRozan has tremendous athletic ability and has the potential to be an All Star in the league. With Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker headed for free agency DeRozan would fill a big need for the Raptors and play right away.
- Intoxicating mock draft « Wildcat Notion – 9. Toronto Raptors – OK this is tough because it is in Canada. Nothing against Canada, but I can barely believe it’s actually an NBA team. DeJuan Blair. I mean, OK I don’t want to send a good kid to cold, blustery Canada, but they get the pick and he’s a star. Like Betelguese.
- Pre Draft Analysis Part I « Welcome to the No Bias Zone! – They also have free agents this year in Anthony Parker and Shawn Marion. It is unlikely they will resign both, and possible neither. Look for the Raptors to be active in the free agent market this year, whether they trade Bosh or try to put a better team on the floor to lure him to stay. The contract of Carlos Delfino can be a valuable trading piece. The team has already been active in the trading market by sending Jason Kapono to Philadelphia for Reggie Evans to save cap space. They could take a look at solid shooting guards in Ben Gordon or Nate Robinson. Sources have them selection a wing player such as DeMar DeRozan out of USC or Gerald Henderson from Duke.
- Chris Bosh interested in joining Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade punks unsuspecting teens (video) – Peninsula is Mightier – The first part of that is the interesting part…that Colangelo is in fact looking to un-load Bosh while he still has value to the Raptors. No surprise, but it's nice to see it out in the open. The part about the Heat trading Beasley seems silly to me, but I'm not Pat Riley. It all depends on how badly Riley wants Bosh…but considering the ceiling on Beasley and the plethora of free agents coming up next summer, trading Beas for Bosh just doesn't make sense for me.
- LeBron Needs Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Bosh to Win It All Next Year | Bleacher Report – For the Cavs to have any chance to retain LeBron on their long-term roster, they must win it all during the 2009-2010 season.
Toronto, on the other hand, is left with their hands tied behind their backs. Canada has never been the premier location for a rising NBA star. This was true with the departure of Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter.
In 2010, Bosh is expected to leave the Raptors. And if so, what will they receive in return?
Nothing.
- Niagara Gazette – BASKETBALL: UB’s Gamble to work out for Raptors – Recent University at Buffalo graduate Greg Gamble has been invited to work out today for the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls announced Monday.
It’s unlikely the Raptors will select Gamble in the two-round NBA draft on June 25, but Gamble could show enough to earn a training camp invitation.
- Pops Mensah-Bonsu wants to laugh his way to London 2012 glory – mirror.co.uk – Mensah-Bonsu has blossomed following his move in March to Toronto, where he is set to pen a new deal when his contract runs out this summer.
And he insists he can make a huge contribution to the GB team. He added: "I am an aggressive, intense and energetic guy on the court but off the court I am not. I just try to make everyone smile and having a positive atmosphere always helps the team.
- 2009 NBA Mock Draft – 9. Toronto Raptors – Gerald Henderson (6'4" 215, Guard) Junior, Duke
Analysis: Toronto needs to get more athletic and Gerald Henderson will certainly help. Unlike some of the players projected ahead of Henderson, he should be able to come in and contribute immediately. Henderson’s athleticism has never been questioned, but his shot selection and perimeter shot were. He improved in both areas this season at Duke.
- PBN | Forward thinking – One team said to be particularly interested in Turkoglu is Toronto, although that's 100 percent speculation at this point. It does make sense, though. The Raptors may be looking to move All-Star forward Chris Bosh, whose contract expires at the end of next season. When it does, Bosh is expected to look elsewhere for employment.
Obviously, trading Bosh before the start of next season would free up tons of room under the salary cap and cause the Raptors considerably less anxiety. But that doesn't mean it will happen.
- In Which I Attempt To Look Knowledgeable | Sportsfrog.com – 9. Toronto Raptors — Jonny Flynn: If Curry goes before #8, Flynn will be the Knicks’ pick, but if he falls past them, the Raptors will be glad to have him. He’ll start backing up Jose Calderon and could have the starting position by the All-Star break.
- NBA Offseason 2009: Mock Draft 1-10 | Sportable – 9. Toronto Raptors – Brandon Jennings, Lottomatica Roma. Jennings has been in the headlines plenty in the last year, from skipping out on Arizona to hone his game in Europe to criticizing Ricky Rubio on his Twitter. Jennings can back up point guard Jose Calderon, whose injury derailed an otherwise promising season for the Raptors. Some players balk at playing north of the border, but Jennings’ willingness to Europe indicates that he’ll have no problem with the move.
- Guards aplenty, where will they fall? NBA Draft Preview Part 2 « Swamigp’s Sports Blog – 9. Toronto Raptors: Gerald Henderson Jr.- Plenty of stellar point guards are on the board, but the Raptors, with Jose Calderon, the Raptors don’t need one. Henderson, an aggressive and intelligent scorer out of Duke, has the potential to made an immediate impact on the offensive and defensive end, and give the Raptors the scoring they lost by trading sharp-shooter Jason Kapono.
- TheStar.com | Raptors keeping options open ahead of weak draft – With Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Joey Graham as unrestricted free agents, and Carlos Delfino in the mix as a restricted free agent the Raptors have spoken about bringing back, that leaves a dearth of shooting guards and small forwards.
It would seem obvious the No.9 pick would have to play one of those positions, but general manager Bryan Colangelo could have a few transactions bubbling just below the surface that could change things.
"We are active … if we make another trade, maybe we don't need this position, maybe we need something else," said Kelly. "I think you have to be a little flexible there because we're actively trying to improve in a couple of different areas."
The wild cards in the selection process, at the moment at least, would be the Washington Wizards, who now have the fifth selection.